German Word for "gay"
Jan 17th, 2007, 12:15 PM
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German Word for "gay"
I don't suppose that when the word "gay" in English, pertaining to one's sexual orientation, is translated into German, it would be the direct translation of the same adjective. My guess is that there is some kind of slang word in German that has the meaning of "gay" and I need to know what it is. I'll be taking a trip to Germany this year to report on gay bars. restaurants, clubs, and other such things. I'd appreciate it if anyone with a current knowledge of the preferred translation for this meaning would let me know. Thanks.
Jan 17th, 2007, 12:33 PM
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I'm sitting here doing my German homework, so let me just check my Rough Guide German phrasebook. It says "schwul" (pronounced shvool). Gay bar is "Schwulenkneipe" (shvoolen-k-nipe-uh". That should get you started.
Jan 17th, 2007, 02:52 PM
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I don't know you would have looked silly. People just would not have known what you meant, unless they were fully American - German bilingual.
I think the term of choice depends on how pejorative you want to be and how much risk with the language you are willing to take.
Ein Schwuler is a man, usually.
Die Lesbe or eine Lesbe is a woman, usually.
Die Homosexuelle would be a more polite term for a female homosexual.
Der Homosexuelle would be a man, usually.
The term ein weichlicher Mann is not exactly a compliment either!!
Bear in mind that you are getting into slang shades of meaning here that do not fully parallel American usage. I would be careful how I used them, particularly if you are in a situation where the local slang is somewhat different.
There there dictionary definitions and then there are the "working" usuages that can take on slightly different nuances of meaning depending on where you are.
I am not sure that the term der Schwuler carries the full force of some of our dictionary equivalents. It is a tricky business unless you ask a German who knows American slang quite well.
Excursions into foreign language slang terms can be tricky!!
I think the term of choice depends on how pejorative you want to be and how much risk with the language you are willing to take.
Ein Schwuler is a man, usually.
Die Lesbe or eine Lesbe is a woman, usually.
Die Homosexuelle would be a more polite term for a female homosexual.
Der Homosexuelle would be a man, usually.
The term ein weichlicher Mann is not exactly a compliment either!!
Bear in mind that you are getting into slang shades of meaning here that do not fully parallel American usage. I would be careful how I used them, particularly if you are in a situation where the local slang is somewhat different.
There there dictionary definitions and then there are the "working" usuages that can take on slightly different nuances of meaning depending on where you are.
I am not sure that the term der Schwuler carries the full force of some of our dictionary equivalents. It is a tricky business unless you ask a German who knows American slang quite well.
Excursions into foreign language slang terms can be tricky!!
Jan 17th, 2007, 02:59 PM
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German gay men use the word schwul to describe themselves (I've got friends who are and do), so it can be used when talking to them.
In more formal environments, homosexuell would be the suitable term.
In more formal environments, homosexuell would be the suitable term.
Mar 20th, 2009, 02:02 PM
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Ah, Wayne...forget the German...the Yiddish words are so much more melodious...."faygeleh" (male homosexual) and "freilach: which means happy/joyful, and has no sexual connotation.
AND these words may also appear as German, as there are many similarities between the two languages, since one started out as ...oh, never mind...Have fun in Berlin...a world class city.
stu t.
AND these words may also appear as German, as there are many similarities between the two languages, since one started out as ...oh, never mind...Have fun in Berlin...a world class city.
stu t.
Mar 22nd, 2009, 11:01 PM
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Funny thread, even if old 
Schwul equals queer in English. Derogatory roots but in common use in colloquial language. Still used as an insult especially among adolescant male youth, more in the sense Americans would use "fag".
Also works as an adjective for haircuts, clothes.. and then almost always intended as an insult (though sexual connotation is not always intented).
Few gay bars describe themselves as "Schwulenbars" in German, though. Most will use "Gay Bar" in German, well English..
Homosexuell equals homosexual, but has a quite "technical" undertone, like in "20pc of the male population of Cologne are homosexuals".
"Gay" has become a fully-accepted term also in German, especially among gay people.
All other, more colorful expressions should be used with caution.
"Vom anderen Ufer" is hopelessly outdated.
"Anders gepolt" or "andersrum" (being the other way around) also have too much slang, possible derogatory undertones for common use.
Schwul equals queer in English. Derogatory roots but in common use in colloquial language. Still used as an insult especially among adolescant male youth, more in the sense Americans would use "fag".
Also works as an adjective for haircuts, clothes.. and then almost always intended as an insult (though sexual connotation is not always intented).
Few gay bars describe themselves as "Schwulenbars" in German, though. Most will use "Gay Bar" in German, well English..
Homosexuell equals homosexual, but has a quite "technical" undertone, like in "20pc of the male population of Cologne are homosexuals".
"Gay" has become a fully-accepted term also in German, especially among gay people.
All other, more colorful expressions should be used with caution.
"Vom anderen Ufer" is hopelessly outdated.
"Anders gepolt" or "andersrum" (being the other way around) also have too much slang, possible derogatory undertones for common use.
