In 15 Seconds
- To rush frantically under pressure or stress.
- Commonly used when running late for transport or meetings.
- Can also mean to incite or agitate in political contexts.
Meaning
Think of that frantic, sweaty feeling when you're running for a train that's about to leave. It's not just 'going fast'; it's rushing with a sense of stress or being chased by the clock.
Key Examples
3 of 6Running for a train
Ich musste total zum Bahnhof hetzen, um den Zug noch zu erwischen.
I had to really rush to the station to catch the train.
Reassuring a stressed friend
Lass dich nicht so hetzen, wir haben noch genug Zeit.
Don't let yourself be rushed, we still have enough time.
In a busy office
In diesem Büro herrscht immer eine schreckliche Hetzerei.
There is always a terrible rush in this office.
Cultural Background
The concept of 'Entschleunigung' (deceleration) is a popular counter-movement to the 'Hetzgesellschaft'. People take courses to learn how not to hetzen. In Switzerland, 'hetzen' is often viewed even more negatively than in Germany, as Swiss culture values a certain 'Gemütlichkeit' and precision over frantic speed. Austrians might use the word 'hastig' or 'eilen' in formal settings, but 'hetzen' remains the go-to for describing the stress of Vienna's U-Bahn rush hour.
The 'Lass dich nicht' rule
Always use 'Lass dich nicht hetzen' instead of 'Hetz dich nicht' if you want to sound more natural and supportive.
Political Sensitivity
Be careful using 'hetzen' in political contexts. It is a very strong accusation of inciting hatred.
In 15 Seconds
- To rush frantically under pressure or stress.
- Commonly used when running late for transport or meetings.
- Can also mean to incite or agitate in political contexts.
What It Means
Hetzen describes a state of extreme hurry. It is more intense than just walking fast. It implies you are under pressure. You feel the breath of a deadline on your neck. It often carries a negative vibe. Nobody likes to hetzen. It’s the opposite of a relaxed stroll. You are literally 'hunting' the time you've lost.
How To Use It
You can use it as a verb for yourself: Ich hetze zum Termin. Or use it reflexively: Hetz dich nicht! This means 'don't stress yourself out.' You’ll often hear it as a past participle: Ich fühle mich gehetzt. This describes that 'scattered' feeling of having too much to do. It’s very common in daily life. Use it when the pace of life feels too fast.
When To Use It
Use it at the train station when the doors are closing. Use it at work when you have back-to-back meetings. It’s perfect for texting a friend when you’re running late. If you see someone looking stressed, tell them Nur keine Hetze. It’s a kind way to say 'take your time.' It fits perfectly in any situation where time is the enemy.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for a fun, fast activity. If you’re driving fast for fun, that’s not hetzen. If you’re jogging for exercise, don't use it. Also, be careful with the context of 'incitement.' In political news, hetzen can mean spreading hate speech. Avoid using it in serious political discussions unless you mean 'agitation.' Stick to the 'rushing' meaning in social settings.
Cultural Background
Germans are famous for punctuality. Because of this, the fear of being late is real. Hetzen is the physical manifestation of that cultural anxiety. However, there is a growing counter-movement. People often say Entschleunigung (deceleration) to fight the Hetzerei. Even in a culture that values speed, people recognize that hetzen is bad for the soul. It’s a word that captures the struggle between efficiency and peace.
Common Variations
Sich abhetzen is a great one. It means to exhaust yourself by rushing. Die Hetzerei is the noun for the general state of constant rushing. Gehetzt is the adjective for that frantic look in someone's eyes. You might also hear Hetzjagd, which is a literal chase or manhunt. Stick to sich hetzen for your daily 'I'm late' scenarios.
Usage Notes
The word is neutral in daily conversation but becomes very serious in political contexts (incitement). Use the reflexive 'sich hetzen' to describe your own stress.
The 'Lass dich nicht' rule
Always use 'Lass dich nicht hetzen' instead of 'Hetz dich nicht' if you want to sound more natural and supportive.
Political Sensitivity
Be careful using 'hetzen' in political contexts. It is a very strong accusation of inciting hatred.
Punctuality
In Germany, if you are 'gehetzt', it's often seen as a sign that you didn't plan your time well. Use it as an apology!
Examples
6Ich musste total zum Bahnhof hetzen, um den Zug noch zu erwischen.
I had to really rush to the station to catch the train.
Describes the physical act of sprinting due to time pressure.
Lass dich nicht so hetzen, wir haben noch genug Zeit.
Don't let yourself be rushed, we still have enough time.
A common way to tell someone to calm down.
In diesem Büro herrscht immer eine schreckliche Hetzerei.
There is always a terrible rush in this office.
Uses the noun form to describe a stressful environment.
Bin gerade total gehetzt, ich komme 10 Minuten später!
I'm totally rushed right now, I'll be 10 minutes late!
Describes the speaker's internal state of stress.
Warum hetzt du so? Läuft dir das Essen weg?
Why are you rushing so much? Is your food running away?
A cheeky way to ask why someone is eating or moving so fast.
Ich habe mich den ganzen Tag nur abgehetzt.
I've been rushing around all day and I'm exhausted.
Uses 'abhetzen' to emphasize the resulting fatigue.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'hetzen' or 'abhetzen'.
Ich bin heute Morgen zum Bahnhof ______, aber der Zug war weg.
The perfect tense with movement uses 'sein' + 'gehetzt'.
Which sentence uses 'hetzen' in the sense of 'incitement'?
Choose the correct context:
'Hetzen gegen' is the pattern for inciting hatred or speaking ill of someone.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Komm schnell, wir sind spät!' B: '_________! Wir haben noch fünf Minuten.'
This is the standard response to someone who is being too frantic.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesIch bin heute Morgen zum Bahnhof ______, aber der Zug war weg.
The perfect tense with movement uses 'sein' + 'gehetzt'.
Choose the correct context:
'Hetzen gegen' is the pattern for inciting hatred or speaking ill of someone.
A: 'Komm schnell, wir sind spät!' B: '_________! Wir haben noch fünf Minuten.'
This is the standard response to someone who is being too frantic.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsYes, almost always. It implies stress, lack of time, or exhaustion. For a positive 'fast', use 'flitzen'.
Yes, in the literal sense of hunting: 'Der Hund hetzt den Hasen.'
'Eilen' is formal and neutral. 'Hetzen' is informal and stressed.
Yes, it is the legal and journalistic term for hate speech in Germany.
You can say 'Ich bin in Eile' or 'Ich muss hetzen'.
Related Phrases
sich abhetzen
similarTo exhaust oneself by rushing.
eilen
synonymTo hurry.
jagen
similarTo hunt/chase.
Hetzrede
specialized formHate speech.
