inner weakness / bastard
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inner weakness
Colloquial for one's own weakness of will, laziness, or lack of discipline that one has to overcome in order to complete an unpleasant task. Usually used in the expression 'den inneren Schweinehund überwinden' (to overcome one's inner weakness).
Ich musste meinen inneren Schweinehund überwinden, um bei dem Regen joggen zu gehen.
I had to overcome my inner weakness to go jogging in the rain.
bastard
A crude insult for a person who is considered mean, malicious, or lacking in character.
Nach dem Betrug nannte sie ihn einen miesen Schweinehund.
After the betrayal, she called him a lousy bastard.
The word is made up of 'das Schwein' (pig) and 'der Hund' (dog). This combination of two animal names creates a very strong, negative image and explains why the word either refers to a great weakness of will or strongly insults a person.
Er nannte seinen Gegner einen feigen Schweinehund.
He called his opponent a cowardly bastard.
The adjective 'innerer' (inner) is the decisive clue. 'Der innere Schweinehund' always refers to one's own weakness of will. Without 'innerer' and referring to a person, it is a strong insult.
Heute habe ich meinen inneren Schweinehund besiegt und war im Fitnessstudio.
Today I defeated my inner weakness and went to the gym.
In the meaning 'Willensschwäche' (weakness of will), the word is used almost exclusively in the fixed expression 'den inneren Schweinehund überwinden' (to overcome one's inner weakness), or 'besiegen' (to defeat). The verb describes the struggle against one's own laziness.
Um mit dem Rauchen aufzuhören, muss man seinen inneren Schweinehund überwinden.
To quit smoking, you have to overcome your inner weakness.
As a term for a person, 'Schweinehund' (bastard) is a very strong insult. It should only be used with great caution, as it is perceived as extremely hurtful.
„Du elender Schweinehund!“, schrie sie ihn an.
'You miserable bastard!' she screamed at him.
asshole / filthy pig
Schweinehund and Drecksau are both crude insults for a person considered mean or lacking in character. Drecksau is even stronger and more vulgar. Use Schweinehund as a crude insult and Drecksau when especially harsh condemnation is intended.
Dieser Schweinehund hat seinen Freund absichtlich belogen, um selbst besser dazustehen.
That bastard deliberately lied to his friend to make himself look better.
Diese Drecksau hat die hilflose Nachbarin absichtlich betrogen und zeigt keinerlei Reue.
That asshole deliberately cheated the helpless neighbor and showed no remorse at all.
