hauen
to hit
Colloquial for to strike; to give someone or something a forceful blow, often with the hand or an object.
EXAMPLE
Wenn du mich weiter ärgerst, hau ich dir eine!
If you keep annoying me, I'll hit you!
hauen
to hit / to carve
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Meanings
sich hauen
to fight
To get into a fight with someone; to have a physical altercation.
EXAMPLE
Die beiden Jungs haben sich nach der Schule auf dem Pausenhof gehauen.
The two boys fought in the schoolyard after school.
jemanden übers Ohr hauen
to rip someone off
To cheat, take advantage of, or deceive someone, often in a business context.
EXAMPLE
Der Verkäufer hat mich beim Autokauf total übers Ohr gehauen.
The seller totally ripped me off when I bought the car.
auf den Putz hauen
to go all out
Colloquial for partying exuberantly, boasting, or spending a lot of money.
EXAMPLE
Nach der bestandenen Prüfung wollen wir am Wochenende mal so richtig auf den Putz hauen.
After passing the exam, we want to really go all out this weekend.
hauen
to carve
To work or shape something with sharp, striking tools, especially stone or wood.
EXAMPLE
Der Bildhauer haute die Skulptur mit Hammer und Meißel aus dem Steinblock.
The sculptor carved the sculpture out of the block of stone with a hammer and chisel.
Usage tips
Colloquial use
The verb 'hauen' is mostly used colloquially for 'schlagen' (to hit/strike). One exception is the meaning 'formen' (to shape) or 'meißeln' (to chisel), which is common in the specialized language of crafts, e.g. among sculptors.
EXAMPLE
Pass auf, was du sagst, sonst hau ich dich!
Watch what you say, or I'll hit you!
Dative construction
When you hit a person, that person is often in the dative. A very common threat is the expression 'jemandem eine hauen' (to give someone one), where 'eine' stands for 'einen Schlag' (a blow/punch).
EXAMPLE
Er hat seinem Bruder aus Wut eine gehauen.
He hit his brother out of anger.
Reflexive use
The reflexive form 'sich hauen' means that two or more people hit each other, that is, fight with each other. It is often used to describe a brawl or scuffle.
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder haben sich im Sandkasten gehauen.
The children fought in the sandbox.
Fixed expression
The expression 'jemanden übers Ohr hauen' (to rip someone off) is a fixed idiom and means to cheat someone. The person who is cheated is always in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Ich glaube, der Händler hat mich mit diesem Preis übers Ohr gehauen.
I think the dealer ripped me off with this price.
Fixed expression
'Auf den Putz hauen' (to go all out) is a colloquial idiom. It means that someone parties exuberantly, shows off, or spends a lot of money.
EXAMPLE
Nach den Prüfungen haben wir am Wochenende ordentlich auf den Putz gehauen.
After the exams, we really went all out over the weekend.
Compare with
hauen vs schlagen
to hit / beat
„Schlagen“ and „hauen“ can both mean hitting someone or something physically. „Hauen“ is more colloquial and, depending on the situation, sounds more forceful or less neutral. Use „schlagen“ in neutral statements and „hauen“ more in casual everyday speech.
hauen
Der Mann haute im Streit mit der Faust gegen die Tür.
During the argument, the man hit the door with his fist.
schlagen
Der Mann schlug mit der Faust gegen die Tür.
The man hit the door with his fist.
In real life
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