The Ultimate Guide to Texting in German: Master Informal Communication and Abbreviations
Master informal German texting with our indispensable guide!
Texting in German uses a variety of informal communication styles and abbreviations, many of which reflect the influence of both German language traits and English internet slang. These text shortcuts help speed up communication and add a friendly, casual tone.
Common German Texting Abbreviations
- LG / lg — Liebe Grüße (“kind regards” or “best wishes”), a friendly sign-off.
- vllt — vielleicht (“maybe” or “perhaps”).
- hdl / HDL — Hab dich lieb (“love you” in a less intense, affectionate sense).
- bd / BD — Bis dann (“see you then” or “until then”).
- WE / We — Wochenende (“weekend”).
- usw. — und so weiter (“etc.” or “and so on”).
- OMG — oh mein Gott (“oh my God”), borrowed from English.
- Other English acronyms like LOL, FYI, BTW, and YOLO are also commonly used.
Informal Communication Tips
- Germans use the informal “du” and plural “ihr” forms with friends, family, and peers, reserving the formal “Sie” for strangers, elders, or formal situations.
- There are official abbreviations that can also appear in texts, such as z.B. (zum Beispiel, “for example”) and v.a. (vor allem, “especially”).
- Emojis and stickers often accompany texts to soften tone or add personality.
- Informal texting usually skips strict grammar rules, like commas, for speed and simplicity.
Examples of an Informal Chat in German Texting Style
- “Hey! Was machst du am WE? 😊” (Hey! What are you doing on the weekend? [friendly opener])
- “Vllt Kino?” (Maybe cinema?)
- “Ja, klar! Bd!” (Yes, sure! See you then!)
- “LG” (Kind regards)
Learning these abbreviations and the informal tone of texting will improve understanding and help communicate more naturally with German speakers via text.