kräsen

Kräsen is a colloquial German verb meaning to be extremely picky or fastidious, specifically in the way someone evaluates options and rejects things for minor flaws. The term conveys a habit of applying high or rigid standards, often with a slightly humorous or critical tone.

It is typically used to describe how a person approaches choices such as food, accommodations, shopping, or plans. Kräsen implies nitpicking and a tendency to demand exact criteria or conditions before accepting something, rather than simply having a general preference. The nuance is stronger than the everyday sense of being “wählerisch” (choosy) and can carry a negative or teasing undertone depending on context.

In translation, kräsen is closest to “to be fussy” or “to be picky.” It is informal and widely understood in German-speaking areas but not appropriate in formal writing. Related terms include wählerisch, pingelig, and überkritisch, which convey varying degrees of selectiveness or meticulousness without the specific colloquial flavor of kräsen.