The shortlist for the 2026 'Youth Word of the Year' (Jugendwort des Jahres) has been announced by Langenscheidt, featuring three terms that have dominated German youth slang this year. The candidates are 'Akh', 'Talahon', and 'Nein, nein, nein'.
'Akh' is a term of address derived from Arabic, meaning 'brother', and is used among young people as a friendly greeting. 'Talahon' originates from Arabic phrases meaning 'come on' or 'let's go', and is used to express impatience or encouragement. 'Nein, nein, nein' is a German phrase used humorously to reject something emphatically, often in a playful or exaggerated manner.
The winner will be determined by an online vote open to the public, with results expected in October 2026. Previous winners include 'Goofy' (2023) and 'Aura' (2024). The selection is based on submissions and usage trends among German youth aged 10 to 20.
Langenscheidt, the publisher behind the award, emphasizes that the goal is to reflect current youth language and culture, not to prescribe correct usage. The shortlist was narrowed down from over 1,000 submissions.
