Youth Word of the Year in Germany: Term of Foreign Origin Selected
Within the framework of the “Youth Word of the Year” (Jugendwort des Jahres) competition in Germany, the word that most accurately reflects modern youth slang and commonly used expressions is determined annually. It has been held since 2008. Since 2020, only boys and girls aged 11 to 20 can take part in the voting.
Similar initiatives are carried out in many countries around the world. In general, they pursue similar goals: to identify a relevant term (word, expression) that concisely and precisely describes the outgoing year and reflects the key tendency or mood of various categories of society. Including within the youth environment. Because during adolescence, when everything is in a state of “constant movement and change,” language becomes an important indicator of inner emotional state. The analysis of youth slang allows us to understand what young people are experiencing and what they are interested in.
The competition voting, organized by the elite private publishing group Langenscheidt (specialization – production of dictionaries, multilingual reference materials, teaching aids, phrasebooks), was held in an online format. This time the laconic expression (otherwise – speech construction) “Das crazy” was recognized as the “Youth Word of the Year.” It comes from the lexeme “craze,” whose primary form is the word “crasen,” related to the Middle English language, spoken approximately between 1100 and 1500. It meant “to break, crush, smash, to be sick or deformed.”
Applied to modern conditions, representatives of Langenscheidt interpret the expression “Das crazy,” popular in the youth environment, as follows: “it is often used when one of the young interlocutors has difficulty answering, avoids a direct response, or simply seeks to maintain the conversation politely.” In this context, it is identical to the words “okay or aha, cool.”
At the same time, some specialists in fields of linguistics such as jargonology and jargonography believe that objectively the word “crazy” can acquire a figurative meaning. For example, when describing certain ideas, intentions, or undertakings. However, almost always with a negative or condescending undertone (in other words – “a crazy scheme” or “a foolish plan”). Or to convey the state of a person who has lost the ability to think clearly under the influence of strong emotions, such as grief, delight, or anxiety.
Naturally, the semantic content when using this word easily varies depending on linguistic preferences, cultural tastes, upbringing, education, as well as the setting and atmosphere of what is happening around.
According to the firm conviction of the competition organizers, this choice of the “winning word of 2025” convincingly demonstrates the influence of the English language and the growing trend toward shortening words and expressions. In their opinion, “Das crazy” “accurately reflects the spirit of the times.”
It is worth recalling that in second place, with only a small gap, was the expression “goonen,” derived from the English verb “to goon.” This is essentially an internet slangism, formed as the verbal form from the noun “goon,” which was used in slang to designate a simple-minded or foolish person.
Between 2019 and 2020, within the environment of gamers and internet fans, the term “goonen” gained popularity and began to be used to describe a state of extreme enthusiasm for something, usually games, memes, or films.
The third place in the “series of competition words and expressions” went to the simple phrase-question “Checkst du?” (literally – “Are you checking?”). It is also borrowed from the English language (verb – “to check”: “to verify,” “to compare”). It is usually used at the end of a sentence to ensure that the interlocutor is “in the topic” and truly understands what is being discussed.
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