Ekliger Snackteller Prank mit Schwester beim Shoppen

What does “kein Bock” mean in German?

Textbooks teach “keine Lust” for “no desire,” but in real spoken German — especially among younger speakers — “kein Bock” is the go-to phrase. It’s blunt and a little moody, not exactly rude, but clearly not in the mood. You’ll often hear it among friends, covering anything from skipping homework to not wanting to talk. Understanding it helps you catch one of the most common informal refusals that classroom German tends to skip.

In the clip: “Ich habe kein Bock zu reden.” — “I don’t feel like talking.” “Bock” on its own means a male goat, but in this slang phrase it just means “desire” or “the mood for something.” Don’t translate it literally — think “I can’t be bothered” or “I don’t feel like it.” Examples: “Ich hab keinen Bock auf Hausaufgaben.” — “I don’t feel like doing homework.” “Hast du Bock, ins Kino zu gehen?” — “You up for going to the cinema?” “Null Bock!” — a stronger “No way, can’t be bothered at all.” Usage notes: The core is “Bock haben.” Watch the grammar: the standard form is “keinen Bock haben” — e.g. “Ich hab keinen Bock auf Hausaufgaben.” The clip’s “Ich habe kein Bock” is relaxed, spoken shortening, not the model form to copy. Use “Bock auf” before a noun and “Bock zu” before a verb. It’s casual and friendly among friends, but can sound a bit blunt with people you don’t know well, so “keine Lust” is safer there.