21 December 2025
How do you talk about annoying people or situations in German?
German has several ways to express annoyance; the choice depends on tone and context.
The words nerven and ärgern can both be used. With a reflexive pronoun, sich ärgern (über) means “to be annoyed (about)”: Ich ärgere mich über den Lärm. - The noise is annoying me.
Examples
Er nervt mich! He’s annoying me!
Die Musik nervt! The music is annoying!
Ich bin genervt! I am annoyed!
Ich ärgere ihn gerne! I like bothering him. (on purpose)
Die laute Musik ärgert mich! The loud music is bothering me.
Ich bin leicht verärgert/genervt. I’m a little annoyed.
Lass dich nicht verärgern! Don’t let yourself be annoyed.
Good to Know
Careful with irritieren: it often means “to confuse” or “to unsettle,” but can also mean “to bother” or “to annoy.” For annoyance, nerven or ärgern is usually the clearer learner choice.
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