Why do I need to know stinkfaul?

Because this hilarious German insult is a great way to have a light-hearted dig at someone in your life who may be neglecting their responsibilities right now, or to describe phases we all go through where we just don’t want to get out of bed. 

What does it mean?

Stinkfaul (pronounced like this) is an adjective – or descriptive word – that describes someone, or something, that is unbelievably lazy. It quite literally translates as “stinking lazy”, which might be an apt description of a sulky teenager who hasn’t bothered to shower or wash their clothes in a while.

Of course, in this context, the word stink functions more as an amplifier, suggesting this person takes laziness to a whole new level. 

READ ALSO: German word of the day – Kek

If you’re looking for a good English equivalent, bone-idle or bone-lazy sum it up quite well. These are pejorative terms for ultra lazy individuals who lack the energy or motivation to do anything for themselves, and who tend to avoid work at all costs. 

While stinkfaul should be relatively easy to remember, be sure not to mix it up with Stinktier: the German word for skunk, or literally a stinky animal. 

Use it like this: 

Kommst du nicht mit, zum Supermarkt? Du bist manchmal so stinkfaul!

Aren’t you coming with me to the supermarket? You’re so lazy sometimes!

Seine Kollegin ist wirklich stinkfaul, also er musste den ganzen Projekt allein unternehmen.

His colleague is really lazy, so he had to do the whole project on his own.