Scheißen

Scheißen is a German verb meaning to defecate. It is considered vulgar and informal; in formal writing or polite conversation it is usually avoided. The noun Scheiße refers to feces and, as an expletive, expresses anger, disappointment, or surprise (for example, Scheiße!). The term is widely understood in German-speaking countries and appears in everyday speech, jokes, and literary dialogue, but it remains outside standard polite language.

Etymology and related forms: Scheißen comes from Old High German scīzan and traces back to Proto-Germanic roots for defecation. It has cognates in related languages, such as Dutch scheissen and the English word shit, both sharing the same ancient meaning and evolution. The verb is strong in tone and often appears in idiomatic phrases and colloquialisms.

Usage and grammar: The verb follows typical German conjugation patterns, with present forms such as ich scheiße, du scheißest, er scheißt, wir scheißen, ihr scheißt, sie scheißen. The past tense (Präteritum) can appear as scheißte, and the past participle is commonly heard as gescheißen or, in some dialects and colloquial speech, geschissen. Common expressions include auf etwas scheißen (to not give a damn about something) and sich in die Hose scheißen (to shit one’s pants). Scheißen is primarily a bodily-function and expletive verb used in informal contexts.

Alternatives and nuance: Weaker terms such as Kacke or Mist are used to refer to feces or to express displeasure in a milder register. Scheiße as an interjection (Scheiße!) functions similarly to “shit!” in English, often conveying frustration, surprise, or emphasis. In cultural contexts, its strong vulgarity limits its acceptability in formal media, education, and professional settings, but it remains a common part of everyday language and fiction.