German interjections are brief words or phrases used to express emotions, reactions, or to grab attention in speech. They stand apart from the grammatical structure and often appear in exclamation points. Here are some common German interjections, their meanings, and example sentences.
Common German Interjections
- Ach! — Oh! / Ah!
- Oh! — Oh!
- Au! — Ouch!
- Hey! — Hey!
- Tja! — Well! (expressing resignation)
- Pfui! — Ugh! / Yuck!
- Huch! — Whoa! / Oh dear!
- Igitt! — Yuck! / Gross!
- Na! — Well! (used to prompt or challenge)
- Mist! — Darn! / Shoot!
Well, tough luck.
Tja, Pech gehabt.
'Tja' is the correct interjection to express resignation or acceptance of a situation. 'Ach' is surprise, 'Na' is a prompt, and 'Igitt' expresses disgust, so they do not fit this context.
Common German Interjections
| Interjection | English Meaning | Usage Example | German Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ach! | Oh! / Ah! | Expresses surprise or realization | Ach, das wusste ich nicht! | Oh, I didn’t know that! |
| Oh! | Oh! | Expresses mild surprise or admiration | Oh, wie schön! | Oh, how nice! |
| Au! | Ouch! | Expresses pain | Au, das tut weh! | Ouch, that hurts! |
| Hey! | Hey! | Grabs attention | Hey, warte mal! | Hey, wait a minute! |
| Tja! | Well! | Expresses resignation or acceptance | Tja, Pech gehabt. | Well, tough luck. |
| Pfui! | Ugh! / Yuck! | Expresses disgust | Pfui, das ist ekelhaft! | Ugh, that is disgusting! |
| Huch! | Whoa! / Oh dear! | Expresses surprise | Huch, was ist passiert? | Whoa, what happened? |
| Igitt! | Yuck! / Gross! | Expresses disgust | Igitt, was ist das? | Yuck, what is that? |
| Na! | Well! | Used to prompt someone or show impatience | Na, komm schon! | Well, come on! |
| Mist! | Darn! / Shoot! | Expresses frustration | Mist, ich habe den Zug verpasst! | Darn, I missed the train! |
Well, tough luck.
Tja, Pech gehabt.
'Tja' is the correct interjection to express resignation or acceptance of a situation. 'Ach' is surprise, 'Na' is a prompt, and 'Igitt' expresses disgust, so they do not fit this context.
Summary
- German interjections are standalone words expressing emotions or reactions.
- They often appear with exclamation points.
- Useful for making conversation feel natural and expressive.
Flashcards (1 of 10)
- Interjection: Ach!
- Usage Example: Expresses surprise or realization
- English Meaning: Oh! / Ah!
- English Example: Oh, I didn’t know that!
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
