rascal
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rascal
An affectionate or mildly reproachful term for a person, usually a child, who is cheeky, crafty, or inclined to play pranks; a little rogue or scamp.
Du kleiner Schlingel hast wohl heimlich vom Kuchen genascht!
You little rascal, you must have secretly nibbled at the cake!
'Schlingel' (rascal) is not a serious insult, but an affectionate or joking term. Tone is crucial: you usually say it with a smile, often to children or friends who have played a little prank.
Ah, du warst das! Was für ein Schlingel!
Ah, so it was you! What a rascal!
'Schlingel' (rascal) is very often combined with the adjective 'klein' (little), even when speaking to an adult. The formula 'du kleiner Schlingel' (you little rascal) is a fixed expression for addressing someone in an affectionate but mildly reproachful way.
Wer hat den letzten Keks gegessen? Du kleiner Schlingel!
Who ate the last cookie? You little rascal!
This word belongs to informal usage, for example within the family or among friends. In a formal or professional context, it would be inappropriate.
Mein Neffe ist ein echter Schlingel, er hat immer neue Ideen für Streiche.
My nephew is a real rascal; he always has new ideas for pranks.
hussy / bait
'das Luder' and 'der Schlingel' can both refer to a cheeky or crafty person, often a child. 'Schlingel' usually sounds affectionate or only mildly reproachful. You use it when someone plays a small prank but is not really bad. 'Luder' can be similar in this joking sense, but it feels more colloquial and sometimes a bit stronger. Also, 'Luder' has insulting meanings that 'Schlingel' does not have. For a cheeky child, 'Schlingel' is often the friendlier and clearer choice.
Der kleine Schlingel versteckt sich in der Küche, um seine Schwester zu erschrecken.
The little rascal is hiding in the kitchen to scare his sister.
Mein Vater nennt die Katze ein Luder, weil sie immer die Tür öffnet.
My father calls the cat a little rascal because it always opens the door.