Significado
An exclamation expressing surprise, shock, or strong impression about something.
Contexto cultural
The word 'krass' is a symbol of the 'Generation Golf' and later 'Millennials'. It marks a departure from the stiff, formal German of the post-war era. In multi-cultural urban areas, 'krass' is often used alongside Turkish or Arabic loanwords like 'vallah' (I swear). While 'krass' is understood, Austrians might prefer 'arg' or 'bist du deppert' (are you crazy) for similar levels of shock. Swiss German speakers use 'krass' in High German contexts, but in dialect, they might use 'hueren' as a prefix for intensity (though this is much more vulgar).
The 'Krass' Pause
For maximum effect, wait 1 second after hearing a story before saying '...Krass.' It makes you sound like you are processing the intensity.
Don't 'Krass' your Boss
Even if your boss is cool, 'krass' can sound uneducated in a high-stakes professional environment.
Significado
An exclamation expressing surprise, shock, or strong impression about something.
The 'Krass' Pause
For maximum effect, wait 1 second after hearing a story before saying '...Krass.' It makes you sound like you are processing the intensity.
Don't 'Krass' your Boss
Even if your boss is cool, 'krass' can sound uneducated in a high-stakes professional environment.
Irony Alert
Germans sometimes say 'Krass...' in a very flat tone to show they are actually NOT impressed by someone bragging.
Ponte a prueba
Which is the most appropriate situation to say 'Das ist ja krass!'?
You are at a formal dinner with the Ambassador.
A formal dinner with an Ambassador is a 'very formal' setting where slang like 'krass' is inappropriate.
Complete the sentence with the correct modal particle to express surprise.
Das ist ___ krass!
In this specific idiomatic expression, 'ja' acts as the intensifier for surprise.
Match the tone of 'Krass!' to the situation.
1. Friend wins 1 million Euro. 2. Friend's car is stolen. 3. Friend eats a whole lemon.
Intonation is key: high for joy, low for shock/sadness, squeaky for physical intensity.
Fill in the missing slang response.
A: 'Ich habe gestern Nacht Nordlichter in Berlin gesehen!' B: '____! Das passiert doch fast nie!'
Seeing Northern Lights in Berlin is an extreme rarity, making 'Krass' the perfect reaction.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Formal vs. Informal Reactions
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosYou are at a formal dinner with the Ambassador.
A formal dinner with an Ambassador is a 'very formal' setting where slang like 'krass' is inappropriate.
Das ist ___ krass!
In this specific idiomatic expression, 'ja' acts as the intensifier for surprise.
1. Friend wins 1 million Euro. 2. Friend's car is stolen. 3. Friend eats a whole lemon.
Intonation is key: high for joy, low for shock/sadness, squeaky for physical intensity.
A: 'Ich habe gestern Nacht Nordlichter in Berlin gesehen!' B: '____! Das passiert doch fast nie!'
Seeing Northern Lights in Berlin is an extreme rarity, making 'Krass' the perfect reaction.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo, it's not a swear word. It's just very informal slang. You won't get in trouble for saying it, but you might look out of place in formal settings.
Yes! 'Das ist ja krass!' is frequently used for amazing achievements, like winning a game or seeing a beautiful view.
It's a modal particle. It adds emphasis and suggests that the 'krass-ness' of the situation is obvious to everyone present.
It started that way in the 90s, but now people in their 40s and 50s use it too. It's very mainstream now.
Absolutely. It's one of the most common one-word reactions in the German language.
Yes, 'am krassesten'. For example: 'Das war der krasseste Film, den ich je gesehen habe.'
Not exactly. 'Cool' is more about style. 'Krass' is about intensity. A car can be cool, but a car crash is krass.
Only if you are writing a dialogue or an analysis of youth language. Otherwise, use 'extrem' or 'einschneidend'.
Yes, it's very common in Swiss High German and increasingly in Swiss German dialects.
'Heftig' often implies a physical force or a more 'heavy' emotional weight, while 'krass' is more about the surprise factor.
Frases relacionadas
Heftig
synonymIntense, heavy, violent.
Wahnsinn
similarMadness / Insanity.
Der Hammer
similarThe hammer (something great).
Echt jetzt?
builds onReally? / For real?
Krasse Sache
specialized formIntense thing/matter.
