verb

bescheuern

crazy · stupid

Definition & meaning

bescheuern is an uncommon German verb. In its literal sense, it means to scrub or rub something, related to scheuern (to scrub or scour).

The much more familiar related form is bescheuert, an informal and often insulting adjective meaning stupid, ridiculous, or crazy. For example, Das ist bescheuert means “That’s stupid” or “That’s ridiculous.” In everyday speech, this adjective is far more common than the verb bescheuern.

Grammar & Word origin

bescheuern is a regular verb: bescheuern – bescheuerte – hat bescheuert. It is formed with be- from scheuern (“to scrub, scour, or rub”). Bescheuert is its past participle, also commonly used as an adjective. The development of the adjective’s slang meaning is not entirely clear.

Synonyms & antonyms

For the adjective bescheuert:

blöd — “stupid” or “silly”; often a milder, very common alternative.
dämlich — “foolish” or “idiotic”; can sound more insulting.
verrückt — “crazy”; emphasizes odd or irrational behavior rather than simple stupidity.
vernünftig — “sensible”; an antonym when bescheuert means foolish or unreasonable.
klug — “clever” or “wise”; an antonym when it means stupid.

Common phrases & collocations

Das ist bescheuert. — “That’s stupid” or “That’s ridiculous.”
Bist du bescheuert? — Literally “Are you crazy?”; an informal, often rude way to express disbelief or annoyance.
sich bescheuert benehmen ? — “to behave stupidly.”