German words in Serbian are more common than most people think. They’re in the kitchen, the toolbox, and your post-shower wardrobe — sprinkled all over the place!
Some are loud and proud, kicking things off with a big Š and screaming, Ich bin Deutch! Others are so sneaky you’d never guess they’re imports.
So, let’s unravel this linguistic patchwork! Here’s a list of German words that have made themselves right at home in Serbian. Let’s go. Or should we say — Los geht’s!
Top German Words in Serbian
Loanwords from German, or germanizmi, are a must-have addition to your vocabulary. Why?
While French words in Serbian (as covered in this article) ooze charm and elegance, their German cousins cut to the chase with precision, practicality, and a no-nonsense edge.
As a result, these expressions make it easier to tackle everyday conversations, boosting your confidence as a speaker.
Interested? Then, let’s get right into the meat of the matter!
1. Kofer – suitcase
Whenever you’re ready to hit the road, a kofer (suitcase) is essential. As a functional, no-frills item, it’s no wonder it comes from the German koffer.
Example:
Napravila sam prostor u koferu za suvenire.
(I made space in the suitcase for souvenirs.)
2. Gastarbajter – guest worker
Speaking of travel, a gastarbajter (literally: guest worker) is a person who packs a bag and heads to another country. However, it’s not for fun and sightseeing, but for work.
Many Serbs, discouraged by the country’s high unemployment rates and low salaries, seek better opportunities abroad. Interestingly, Germany is a hot destination for Balkan workers. In addition to that, you’ll find plenty of gastarbeiter in Austria, Switzerland, and Scandinavian countries — even in Canada and the USA.
Example:
Mnogi gastarbajteri šalju novac kući da pomognu porodici i prijateljima.
(Many guest workers send money home to help their family and friends.)
3. Šminka – makeup
Loaned from the German Schminke, the Serbian word šminka means makeup. For instance, your mascara (mascara), karmin (lipstick), and rumenilo (blush) are all types of šminka.
Example:
Šminka je moj način da se opustim i zabavim pre izlaska.
(Makeup is my way to relax and have fun before going out.)
Also, you can turn this noun into a verb — šminkati se (do one’s makeup).

4. Cigla – brick
If you’ve ever been to a construction site, you must’ve seen a bunch of this item. Cigla (brick) is a building block of every house, building, or outdoor fireplace.
Example:
Zajedno smo sagradili svoj dom, ciglu po ciglu.
(We built our home together, brick by brick.)
5. Šverc – smuggling
Once upon a time, the majority of the Serbian population struggled to make ends meet. Of course, we’re talking about the volatile 90s when inflation was through the roof, and the only way to survive was to be extra resourceful.
As a result, šverc (smuggling) was a source of income for many. Cigarettes, gasoline, deli meat — you name it — were illegally imported and sold to locals who otherwise couldn’t buy these goods.
It’s not the proudest moment in history, but hey, desperate times call for desperate measures.
Example:
Policija je uhvatila grupu koja se bavila švercom cigareta.
(The police caught a group involved in cigarette smuggling.)
6. Špajz – pantry
On a more cheerful note, many Serbs are masters of canning. Each fall, they prepare for the coldest season by making zimnica (winter preserves): jams, pickles, homemade juices, ajvar, and so much more. Of course, you need a place to keep all these goodies, and that’s where špajz (pantry) comes in handy.
Example:
Špajz je pun zimnice – baš smo se potrudili ove godine!
(The pantry is full of winter preserves – we really worked hard this year!)
7. Šrafciger – screwdriver
Are you into all things DIY? Then, you surely own a fair share of tools. In Serbian, words for many items in your toolbox come from German. Among them, šrafciger (screwdriver) is the one item you’ll see in virtually every household.
Example:
Uvek imam šrafciger u autu — nikad se ne zna kad može da zatreba.
(I always keep a screwdriver in the car — you never know when it might come in handy.)

8. Krompir – potato
Krompir (potato) is a staple of every Serbian kitchen! Still, not many locals know that the word comes from the German Kartoffel. In any case, this starchy gem is the cornerstone of countless comfort foods, like krompir-pire (mashed potatoes), pomfrit (French fries), krompiruša (potato pie).
Example:
Krompir je jeftin i može se spremiti na milion načina.
(Potatoes are cheap and can be prepared in a million ways.)

9. Štikle – high heels
Visoke potpetice (high heels) are also known as štikle (from German Stöckel). Technically, this word refers to only the heel of your footwear. But, in informal contexts, it can describe the entire shoe.
Example:
Našla sam prelepe štikle na sniženju i naravno da sam ih kupila.
(I found gorgeous high heeled shoes on sale, and of course, I bought them.)

10. Bademantil – bathing robe
It’s fluffy, cozy, and absorbent — like a towel you can wear. Bademantil (bathrobe) is perfect for lazy mornings and moments when you want to chill at home — no trousers required. Interestingly, the word comes from the German Bademantel, which literally means bath coat.
Example:
Obukla sam omiljeni bademantil i uživam u jutarnjoj kafi.
(I’m wearing my favorite bathrobe and enjoying my morning coffee.)
11. Šalter — service counter
Have you ever run errands in Serbia? Then, you’ve probably spent some quality time at a šalter (counter). Picking up packages, paying bills, and submitting forms — šalter is where it all happens. It’s where you’ll get everything sorted, eventually — after a bit of waiting and plenty of sighing.
Example:
Čekala sam na šalteru pola sata, a onda su mi rekli da mi fali jedan papir.
(I waited at the counter for half an hour, only to be told I was missing one document.)
12. Špric – syringe
Last on our list of German words in Serbian is špric (syringe). While no one likes being poked with a needle, vaccines (vakcine) and shots (injekcije) literally save lives. Of course, that wouldn’t be possible without this little tool.
Example:
Doktor je uzeo ogroman špric i rekao: Ne brini, ništa neće da boli.
(The doctor took an enormous syringe and said: Don’t worry, it won’t hurt at all.)
German Words in Serbian: Unlock Your Inner Sprachmeister
Finally, you don’t need to be a polyglot to use German words in Serbian. Start by picking a few expressions from our list and working them into your daily chats. Even if they sound like tongue twisters, these words will help you get your point across more precisely while adding a bit of Germanic flair to your Serbian.
Ready to make it even more fun and productive? Join our Serbian group lessons and level up your fluency with the support of our teachers and fellow learners. Viel Spaß!