In German
der Typ
Meaning: guy, dude (casual word for a person)
Formal or informal? Casual, very common word for “guy” or “dude”, used across all ages in informal speech. Note that “Typ” also has a formal, unrelated meaning: “type” or “kind” (as in “dieser Typ von Problem” — this type of problem).
Example sentences
DerTypdadrübenistkomisch.
That guy over there is weird.
WeristdieserTyp?
Who's this guy?
EristechteinnetterTyp.
He's actually a nice guy.
Common mistake
Don't assume “Typ” always means “guy” — in formal contexts it just means “type” or “kind”, with no reference to a person at all.
Quick check
Which casual word means “guy” or “dude” when referring to a person?
More words on this topic
Keep learning German
Practise it in a lesson →Frequently asked questions
Does “Typ” always refer to a person?
No — in formal usage, “Typ” just means “type” or “kind”, as in “dieser Typ von Fehler” (this type of error).
Is “Typ” casual or formal when it means “guy”?
Casual — when referring to a person as “that guy”, it's informal slang.