• @SchrodingersPat@lemmy.mlOP
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      158 months ago

      From what I looked up it means something like dude or mate. It’s also used when expressing suprise? If native speaker has better insight I’d appreciate it.

      • FQQD
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        158 months ago

        It’s pretty much just “dude”, vor talking with friends. Other widely used versions include “Digga” and “Bruder”

        • edric
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          88 months ago

          Omg you just can’t go say the d word. /s

      • @Flumsy@feddit.de
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        118 months ago

        The English “Yo” is a really good translation. You can use it to express surprise (“Alter! Wtf!” - “Yo! Wtf!”) or to address someone (“Alter, was geht?” - “Yo, whats up?”).

        “Yo” really is the best translation I can think of.

      • @Lileath@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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        98 months ago

        The literal meaning is a really informal “old one” but can also mean “age” in another context. It is used exactly like you described.

        • DreamButt
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          98 months ago

          So Germans colloquially call each other “old man”? That’s kinda hilarious

          • @Lileath@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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            8 months ago

            It is one way to do so, german youth also use several english terms or “Digga” which is a modified form of the word “Dicker” meaning fat. Although I am no linguist I would assume that Alter and Dicker were used in combination with Freund (friend) first since those are valid phrases that still are in use.

          • @Tvkan@feddit.de
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            8 months ago

            As much as English speakers call each other “male sibling” or “canine”.

            Technically correct, but no one makes that association in everyday language.