What is the meaning of “Der innere Schweinehund” in German?
Have you ever heard of der innere Schweinehund? This funny and relatable German idiom describes your inner lazy voice. Learn what it means, when to use it, and how to fight it—especially while studying German. Discover practical tips and vocabulary for overcoming procrastination in German!
Recommended study materials on the topic:
A-Grammar: Practice German grammar German (incl. answers)
German self-study book for A1-B1 (incl. answers)
German Verb Charts: Learning Regular and Irregular Verbs at a glance
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What is der innere Schweinehund?
Do you ever feel like watching Netflix instead of studying German? Or skipping the gym even though you promised yourself you’d go?
Congratulations—you’ve met your innerer Schweinehund.
This fun German expression literally means "the inner pig-dog." Strange, right? But it’s one of the most relatable and colorful German idioms you’ll come across—especially when it comes to motivation and self-discipline.
Let’s break it down and see how to use it!
The meaning behind der innere Schweinehund
Der innere Schweinehund is the voice in your head that says:
“Do it tomorrow.”
“One more cookie won’t hurt.”
“You don’t really need to study verbs today.”
It’s your inner slacker, procrastinator, or lazy self—the one that wants comfort instead of progress.
In English, we might say “my weaker self” or just “I couldn’t motivate myself.” But Germans have a much more vivid way of describing it.
This is one of several German idioms about laziness, but der innere Schweinehund is by far the most iconic.
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Where Does the Phrase Come From?
The word Schweinehund was originally an insult—combining Schwein (pig) and Hund (dog). Soldiers used it to curse enemies or traitors.
Over time, der innere Schweinehund became a metaphor for the inner enemy we all battle: laziness, fear, resistance, or doubt.
Today, it’s used often in daily life, especially in the context of overcoming procrastination in German conversations.
Real-Life Examples
Here are a few ways Germans use this German idiom:
🗣 “Ich muss meinen inneren Schweinehund überwinden.”
👉 “I need to overcome my inner slacker.”
🗣 “Heute habe ich meinen inneren Schweinehund besiegt und war joggen.”
👉 “Today I beat my inner pig-dog and went jogging.”
🗣 “Mein innerer Schweinehund sagt, ich soll lieber schlafen als Hausaufgaben machen.”
👉 “My lazy side says I should sleep instead of doing homework.”
It’s vivid, useful, and one of the best German phrases for motivation.
Remember: In German, der innere Schweinehund means your inner laziness or resistance.
How to defeat your innerer Schweinehund while learning German
Ready to fight your innerer Schweinehund? Try these quick wins:
✅ Set small goals (like 10 minutes of vocabulary)
✅ Use fun materials like worksheets, videos, or games
✅ Create a routine—same time, same place
✅ Reward yourself after studying
✅ Study with a partner for accountability
Remember, it’s totally normal to struggle with motivation. Even Germans do—that’s why they came up with one of the most expressive German idioms about laziness.
Final Tip: Add This Phrase to Your Vocabulary
The next time you don’t feel like learning German, just say:
“Heute besiege ich meinen inneren Schweinehund!”
(“Today I will defeat my inner pig-dog!”)
Language learning is never easy—but it’s full of personality, humor, and helpful idioms like this one. And that’s what makes it so rewarding. If you liked this article, you should also check out the meaning of “Torschlusspanik”.
Bis bald!
Steffie
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