Signification
Indicates indifference or lack of concern about something.
Contexte culturel
In Berlin, 'schnuppe' is part of the local identity. It's often used with a shrug to show that one is 'cool' and not easily stressed by the chaos of the big city. People in the North are known for being 'wortkarg' (laconic). A short 'Mir schnuppe' is a perfect way to end a discussion without being overly rude. While 'schnuppe' is understood, you are more likely to hear 'Wurscht' (sausage) in the South. 'Schnuppe' can sometimes sound a bit 'Prussian' to Southern ears. Younger Germans might use 'latte' or 'egal' more often, but 'schnuppe' remains a classic that never truly goes out of style because it sounds friendly and non-aggressive.
The 'Völlig' Boost
Add 'völlig' or 'total' before 'schnuppe' to sound even more like a native. 'Das ist mir völlig schnuppe!'
Watch the Dative
Always remember: MIR schnuppe. Using 'mich' is the most obvious sign of a learner.
Signification
Indicates indifference or lack of concern about something.
The 'Völlig' Boost
Add 'völlig' or 'total' before 'schnuppe' to sound even more like a native. 'Das ist mir völlig schnuppe!'
Watch the Dative
Always remember: MIR schnuppe. Using 'mich' is the most obvious sign of a learner.
The Shrug
This phrase is almost always accompanied by a slight shrug of the shoulders and a neutral facial expression.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct dative pronoun.
Ob es regnet oder die Sonne scheint, ist ____ (I) schnuppe.
The idiom 'jemandem schnuppe sein' always requires the dative case. 'Mir' is the dative of 'ich'.
Which situation is appropriate for using 'Das ist mir schnuppe'?
Choose the best context:
'Schnuppe' is informal and best used with friends or family for low-stakes decisions.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: 'Sollen wir heute Abend ins Kino gehen oder lieber zu Hause bleiben?' B: '_________________'
This is the grammatically correct and most natural way to express indifference in a casual setting.
Match the German phrase to its English equivalent.
Indifference levels:
These are the various registers of indifference in German.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Registers of Indifference
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesOb es regnet oder die Sonne scheint, ist ____ (I) schnuppe.
The idiom 'jemandem schnuppe sein' always requires the dative case. 'Mir' is the dative of 'ich'.
Choose the best context:
'Schnuppe' is informal and best used with friends or family for low-stakes decisions.
A: 'Sollen wir heute Abend ins Kino gehen oder lieber zu Hause bleiben?' B: '_________________'
This is the grammatically correct and most natural way to express indifference in a casual setting.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the various registers of indifference in German.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt depends on the tone. With friends, it's perfectly fine. If said with a sharp tone to a stranger, it can sound dismissive or annoyed.
Only in informal writing like WhatsApp, emails to friends, or casual social media posts. Avoid it in formal essays.
'Egal' is neutral and standard. 'Schnuppe' is more colorful, colloquial, and carries a bit more personality.
In the idiom, it functions as an adjective/adverb (like 'egal'), so it is written in lowercase.
Yes, it is understood everywhere, though it has a slightly stronger association with Northern and Central Germany.
Yes, 'Das ist mir schnuppe' and 'Es ist mir schnuppe' are interchangeable.
Not really. You don't say 'am schnuppesten'. Instead, use intensifiers like 'völlig', 'total', or 'absolut'.
You can say 'Er ist mir schnuppe' (I don't care about him), but it sounds very dismissive and cold.
They share the same root (the candle wick), but the idiom refers to the worthlessness of the wick, not the star itself.
No, 'Schnupfen' comes from a different root related to the nose. 'Schnuppe' is related to 'schnäuzen' (to trim/snuff).
Expressions liées
Das ist mir Wurst
synonymI don't care (literally: that is sausage to me).
Das ist mir einerlei
synonymIt's all the same to me.
Das ist mir latte
synonymI don't care (slang).
Jacke wie Hose
similarIt's all the same / It doesn't matter.
