01
der Bastard
bastard
A crude insult for a person who is considered deceitful, mean, or despicable.
example
Er schrie: „Du elender Bastard, was fällt dir ein?“
He shouted, “You miserable bastard, what do you think you're doing?”
der Bastard
bastard
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Meaning in context
The meaning of 'Bastard' (bastard) depends heavily on context. In everyday language, it is almost always a crude insult. In biology, it is a neutral technical term for a crossbreed; in historical studies, it is an outdated term for an illegitimate child.
EXAMPLE
Er wurde wütend und schrie: „Was willst du, du Bastard?“
He got angry and shouted, “What do you want, you bastard?”
Strong insult
As an insult, 'Bastard' (bastard) is very vulgar and offensive in German. Its use can be understood as a serious personal attack and lead to serious conflicts.
EXAMPLE
Er hat mich einen Bastard genannt; das lasse ich mir nicht gefallen.
He called me a bastard; I'm not going to put up with that.
Typical collocations
As an insult, the word is often intensified with negative adjectives such as 'elend' (miserable), 'gemein' (mean), or 'verdammt' (damned) to strengthen its effect.
EXAMPLE
Was für ein elender Bastard, mein Fahrrad zu stehlen!
What a miserable bastard, stealing my bike!
Biology term
In biology, 'Bastard' (hybrid) is a neutral technical term for a living organism that has resulted from the crossbreeding of two different species or breeds. In this context, the word has no negative meaning.
EXAMPLE
Der Liger, ein Bastard aus einem Löwen und einer Tigerin, kommt in der freien Wildbahn nicht vor.
The liger, a hybrid of a lion and a tigress, does not occur in the wild.
Historical context
The term for an illegitimate child is outdated and is considered discriminatory today. It is now found almost only in historical texts, for example about the nobility in the Middle Ages.
EXAMPLE
Wilhelm der Eroberer war als „Wilhelm der Bastard“ bekannt, bevor er König von England wurde.
William the Conqueror was known as “William the Bastard” before he became King of England.
Compare with
Bastard vs Arschloch
asshole
'das Arschloch' and 'der Bastard' can both be used as very crude insults for a person you see as mean, unfair, or bad. Both words are vulgar or strongly derogatory and do not belong in polite conversations. 'Arschloch' is often used in everyday speech for someone who behaves inconsiderately or unfairly. 'Bastard' often sounds even harsher, angrier, or more dramatic. It can also have other meanings, but this relation is only about the insult. In normal situations, you should avoid both words.
Bastard
Im Film schreit der Polizist den Täter wütend einen Bastard.
In the film, the police officer angrily calls the perpetrator a bastard.
Arschloch
Nach dem Streit nannte er den Fahrer ein Arschloch.
After the argument, he called the driver an asshole.
In real life
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