In German
Kumpel
Meaning: buddy, mate, pal
Formal or informal? Casual but widely acceptable, used across generations — less edgy than “Digga” or “Alter”. Originally meant “miner's colleague” in mining regions, later generalized to “close friend”.
Example sentences
EristmeinbesterKumpel.
He's my best buddy.
MeineKumpelskommenauch.
My buddies are coming too.
WirsindseitJahrenKumpels.
We've been buddies for years.
Common mistake
Don't assume “Kumpel” is too casual for any context — it's milder than most slang on this page and is fine even in semi-casual conversation with a boss you're friendly with.
Quick check
Which word means “buddy” or “mate”?
More words on this topic
Keep learning German
Practise it in a lesson →Frequently asked questions
Where does “Kumpel” come from?
Originally mining slang for a fellow miner/colleague, it generalized over time to mean “close friend”.
Is “Kumpel” ruder than “Digga”?
No, the opposite — “Kumpel” is milder and more broadly acceptable than “Digga” or “Alter”.