getriggert

Getriggert is a German loanword derived from the English verb trigger. In contemporary usage it functions as both a verb and an adjective in informal speech, with two main senses: an emotional or psychological triggering of a reaction, and the triggering of a mechanism or event in technical contexts.

In everyday language, getriggert describes a strong emotional response to a remark, memory, or situation. People often say they are getriggert or that a topic is getriggert for them. The construction is flexible: one can use the phrase in the present or past tense, for example, “Ich bin getriggert” or “Das hat mich getriggert.” The term has become common in social media, online communities, and youth conversation, and it can also appear as an attributive adjective: “getriggertes Thema.”

In technical or IT contexts, getriggert is understood as a shorthand for something that has been activated or caused to occur. While native German alternatives like auslösen or der Trigger haben ausgelöst are preferred in formal writing, triggern and getriggert are widely used in information technology, gaming, and marketing discussions.

Etymology and usage notes: getriggert is formed from the English word trigger with the German past participle pattern ge- plus -t, resulting in getriggert. The term highlights the blend of German and English common in modern tech and online language. Critics argue that casual use can trivialize real traumatic experiences, so in sensitive or formal contexts, more precise terms such as auslösen or Trigger (as a technical noun) are advisable. See also Trigger (computing), Auslösen, Triggern, and trauma-related discussions.