die  Scheiße

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃaɪsə/

💩 What exactly does *'die Scheiße'* mean?

The word *die Scheiße* is a German noun primarily known as a vulgar expression. 🚨 Warning: It should absolutely be avoided in formal situations!

• Literal Meaning: It refers to human or animal excrement (feces, shit). While this is the original meaning, it's less commonly used directly in everyday language than the figurative meanings.
• Figurative Meaning (very common):
  • As an exclamation of anger, frustration, or disappointment: *"Scheiße! Ich habe meinen Schlüssel vergessen!"* (*"Shit! I forgot my key!"*)
  • As a term for a very bad situation, matter, or thing: *"Das Wetter ist heute totale Scheiße."* (*"The weather today is total shit."*) or *"Was für eine Scheiße ist hier passiert?"* (*"What kind of shit happened here?"*)
  • As a term for nonsense or worthless stuff: *"Erzähl mir nicht so eine Scheiße!"* (*"Don't tell me such shit/crap!"*)

⚠️ Although it only takes the article *"die"*, its usage is diverse and almost always has a negative connotation.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Check: *Die Scheiße* in sentences

The word *die Scheiße* is a feminine noun. It is almost exclusively used in the singular. A plural form (*"die Scheißen"*) theoretically exists but is extremely uncommon and sounds odd.

Declension (Singular)

*Die Scheiße* declines like this in the singular:

Example Sentences

1. (As an exclamation) *Scheiße!* *Der Zug ist weg!*
   (Shit! The train is gone!)
2. (Bad situation) *Ich stecke tief in der Scheiße.*
   (I'm deep in shit / in big trouble.)
3. (Nonsense) *Das ist doch alles Scheiße, was du da erzählst.*
   (That's all bullshit/crap you're talking.)
4. (Literal, rarely direct) *Der Hund hat Scheiße auf den Teppich gemacht.*
   (The dog made shit on the carpet.)
5. (Adjectival/Adverbial, very colloquial) *Das ist mir scheißegal.* (Here *"scheiß-"* is used as an intensifying prefix)
   (I don't give a shit about that.)

🗣️ How *'die Scheiße'* is used

*Die Scheiße* is one of the most common and versatile swear words in German. However, its use is highly context-dependent and almost always vulgar and informal.

• Interjection (Exclamation): Very common to express sudden anger, pain, or disappointment: *"Scheiße!"*, *"Ach du Scheiße!"* (*Oh shit!*)
• Describing a Situation/Thing: To describe something as very bad, annoying, or problematic: *"So eine Scheiße!"* (*Such shit!* / *What a mess!*), *"Der ganze Tag war Scheiße."* (*The whole day was shit.*)
• Dismissing Statements/Objects: To dismiss something as nonsense or worthless: *"Red keinen Scheiß!"* (*Don't talk shit!* / *Stop talking nonsense!*), *"Das ist doch billige Scheiße."* (*That's just cheap crap.*)
• In fixed expressions: *"auf etwas scheißen"* (to not give a damn about something - vulgar), *"jemanden aus der Scheiße ziehen"* (to help someone out of a bad situation).
• Intensifying prefix *"scheiß-":* Often used (very colloquially) before adjectives or nouns to negatively intensify them: *"scheißkalt"* (damn cold), *"Scheißwetter"* (shitty weather), *"Scheißkerl"* (bastard/asshole).

Comparison: A slightly milder, but still colloquial, alternative is *"Mist"* (crap, dung). *"Mist!"* is less vulgar than *"Scheiße!"*.

🚨 In formal contexts, at work (depending on the environment), when addressing figures of authority, or in public, using *"Scheiße"* should absolutely be avoided.

🧠 Mnemonics for *'die Scheiße'*

Mnemonic for the article *'die'*: Remember that *'die'* (feminine) is the article. It might be hard to associate femininity with this word, but just memorize: it's always *die Scheiße*. Think: "You might say *'Oh dear!'* when you encounter *die Scheiße*." (The 'dee' sound in dear matches 'die').

Mnemonic for the meaning: This is the easiest part! The German word *Scheiße* sounds almost identical to the English word "shit" and shares the exact same vulgar meaning (both literally and figuratively). If you know English, you essentially know the meaning!

🔄 Similar and Opposite Words

Similar sounding/confusing words:

• *Scheide* (*die*): Anatomical term (vagina) or sheath (e.g., for a sword). Completely different meaning!
• *Scheibe* (*die*): Flat, round object (e.g., window pane, slice of bread).

😄 A little joke on the side

German: Warum nehmen Skelette kein Blatt vor den Mund?
Weil sie keinen Mumm in den Knochen haben, aber auch keine Scheiße erzählen!

English Translation: Why don't skeletons mince words (literally: *take a leaf before the mouth*)?
Because they don't have guts (literally: *courage in their bones*), but they also don't talk shit!

(Okay, it's a bit lame, but hopefully not TOO bad! 😉)

🎤 Rhyme time!

German:
Der Wecker klingelt, viel zu früh,
Der Kaffee kalt, oh weh, oh Müh'.
Der Bus verpasst, es fängt an zu regnen,
Man möchte laut "Scheiße!" segnen.
Der Chef schimpft, das Projekt im Eimer,
Der ganze Tag – ein schlechter Reimer.
Doch Kopf hoch, auch wenn's grad nicht flutscht,
Nach jeder Scheiße wird geduscht!

English Translation:
The alarm clock rings, way too soon,
The coffee's cold, beneath the moon.
The bus is missed, the rain starts pouring,
You want to shout "Shit!" while ignoring.
The boss complains, the project's wrecked,
The whole damn day - poorly checked.
But chin up, though things feel askew,
After the shit, you shower anew!

❓ Who or what am I?

German:
Ich komme oft unerwartet und selten allein,
Bring Ärger und Frust, mal groß und mal klein.
Man ruft meinen Namen, wenn etwas misslingt,
Obwohl man mich loswerden will, unbedingt.
Manchmal lieg ich auf der Straße, ein brauner Hauf', Doch meistens bin ich im Kopf, ein verbaler Verlauf.

Was bin ich?

English Translation:
I often come unexpected and seldom alone,
Bringing trouble and frustration, big or small shown.
My name is called out when something goes wrong,
Although everyone wants me gone, all along.
Sometimes I lie on the street, a brown heap you see,
But mostly I'm in the head, expressed verbally.

What am I?

(Answer: die Scheiße / shit)

📚 Interesting Facts and Sidenotes

• Etymology: The word *"Scheiße"* comes from the Old High German *"scīzan"*, meaning "to separate, excrete". It's related to similar words in other Germanic languages (e.g., English "shit", Dutch "schijt").
• Taboo Word: *"Scheiße"* is considered a taboo word in German. Using it publicly can be perceived as rude, disrespectful, or aggressive.
• Compounds: It forms numerous, mostly very vulgar, compound words, e.g.:
  • *Scheißkerl / Scheißweib:* Strong insults for a person (*asshole/bastard / bitch*).
  • *Scheißwetter:* Very bad weather (*shitty weather*).
  • *Scheißegal:* Totally indifferent (*don't give a shit* - very colloquial).
  • *Bullshit:* Borrowed from English, synonym for nonsense (slightly less direct than *"Scheiße"*).
• Cultural Differences: The acceptance and frequency of using *"Scheiße"* can vary depending on the social environment, region, and age group. In some circles, it's commonplace; in others, it's absolutely frowned upon.