Meaning
Used to express indifference or that something is not important to you.
Cultural Background
The 'Wurst' is a symbol of German identity. There are over 1,500 types of sausages in Germany, making it the most logical food to use in an idiom about variety and sameness. Austrians often use the word 'Wurscht' instead of 'Wurst'. The 'Wurschtigkeit' (the state of not caring) is sometimes seen as a typical Viennese character trait—a relaxed, slightly cynical indifference. In Bavaria, the phrase is often used while drinking beer in a {der|m} Biergarten. It fits the 'Gemütlichkeit' (coziness/relaxed nature) of the region. Younger Germans might use 'Ist mir latte' or 'Ist mir rille' as modern alternatives, but 'Es ist mir Wurst' remains a classic that everyone understands.
Shorten it!
In very casual settings, just say 'Mir Wurst!' It sounds very native.
Watch the tone
If you say it too loudly or with a frown, it can sound rude rather than just indifferent.
Meaning
Used to express indifference or that something is not important to you.
Shorten it!
In very casual settings, just say 'Mir Wurst!' It sounds very native.
Watch the tone
If you say it too loudly or with a frown, it can sound rude rather than just indifferent.
The Southern 'sch'
If you are in Munich or Vienna, use 'Wurscht' to blend in perfectly.
Test Yourself
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
How do you say 'I don't care' using the sausage idiom?
You need the dative 'mir' and no article before 'Wurst'.
Fill in the missing dative pronoun.
Mein Bruder sagt: 'Es ist ____ Wurst, was wir essen.'
Since 'Mein Bruder' is the subject, the dative pronoun for 'he' is 'ihm'.
In which situation is 'Es ist mir Wurst' appropriate?
Choose the best context:
The phrase is informal and best for low-stakes, casual decisions.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Willst du den roten oder den grünen Apfel?' B: '________'
This expresses that the color of the apple doesn't matter to the speaker.
Match the German phrase to its English meaning.
Match them up:
All pairs are correctly matched here for learning purposes.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
5 exercisesHow do you say 'I don't care' using the sausage idiom?
You need the dative 'mir' and no article before 'Wurst'.
Mein Bruder sagt: 'Es ist ____ Wurst, was wir essen.'
Since 'Mein Bruder' is the subject, the dative pronoun for 'he' is 'ihm'.
Choose the best context:
The phrase is informal and best for low-stakes, casual decisions.
A: 'Willst du den roten oder den grünen Apfel?' B: '________'
This expresses that the color of the apple doesn't matter to the speaker.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
All pairs are correctly matched here for learning purposes.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsIt depends on the context. With friends, it's perfectly fine. With a boss or a stranger, it can be seen as slightly dismissive or unprofessional.
No, it's best for small decisions. Using it for serious topics like health or relationships makes you sound heartless.
'Wurst' is standard German (Hochdeutsch), while 'wurscht' is a regional dialect variation common in the south.
Because in a sausage, all the meat is ground together and looks the same, symbolizing that the choices are also 'all the same'.
Related Phrases
Das ist mir egal
synonymThat is all the same to me.
Das ist mir Jacke wie Hose
similarIt's jacket like trousers.
Das geht mir am Arsch vorbei
similarThat passes by my ass.
Wurschtigkeit
builds onThe state of being indifferent.
