du bist dumm
The German phrase for "you're stupid" is du bist dumm.
This is a direct insult used to tell someone that they lack intelligence.
Did you know?
- Calling someone dumm in a professional German setting is considered far more aggressive than the English 'you're stupid'. It can be seen as a personal attack on one's character rather than a comment on a mistake.
- In German, calling someone dumm is a strong insult, but the word doof is a common, softer alternative. Doof is often used colloquially to mean 'silly' rather than truly unintelligent.
- The word dumm is an ancient relative of the English word 'dumb'. In its earliest forms, it referred to being mute or unable to speak rather than lacking intelligence.
Examples in context
- Du bist dumm.You're stupid.This sentence demonstrates how to use du bist dumm.Tatoeba #396915 by MikeMolto, translation #2123495 by CK
- Bist du bescheuert?Are you stupid?
- Du bisch en Depp.You're a fool
- Du bist deppert.You're stupid
- Du bist dumm, wenn du das glaubst.You're stupid if you believe that.
- Ich sage es dir: Du bist dumm!I'm telling you: You're stupid!
Example conversation
A heated argument between two siblings in a living room.
- SarahDas ist doch totaler Quatsch!That is total nonsense!
- LukasDu bist dumm, Sarah.You're stupid, Sarah.
- SarahWie kannst du mich so beleidigen?How can you insult me like that?
- LukasWeil es einfach wahr ist.Because it is simply true.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bist, du, dumm, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
