fick

Fick is a German vulgar verb (infinitive ficken) meaning to have sex, with the common English rendering “to fuck.” It is among the stronger profanities in German and is widely regarded as explicit and offensive in formal, polite, or public contexts. In everyday speech among peers or in certain media genres, it may be used more freely, but its use remains crude and potentially insulting outside those circles. The term also appears as a slang noun, for example in the form ein Fick, referring crudely to a sexual act or encounter.

Etymology and variation: The exact origin of ficken is unclear, and it is generally treated as a taboo term within German. Early attestations date from the early modern period, and scholars note its strong vulgar register rather than a clear, neutral linguistic lineage. Related forms or derivatives (such as insults or intensifiers) exist in various German-speaking regions, but all carry the same basic crude connotation.

Usage context: In most public, media, academic, or professional contexts, the word is avoided or censored. In literature, film, or music, it may appear for artistic or realism purposes, often with warnings or within adult-rated materials. In casual dialogue, speakers should be aware of audience and setting, as the term can offend or alienate listeners. The German-speaking world generally prefers milder euphemisms in respectful or formal situations, reserving explicit language for intimate or clearly consensual contexts.

See also: German profanity, vulgar language, language register.