How Squid Game Can Help You Learn German

Are we humans really that selfish? Would you sacrifice someone else to survive?

The Netflix show Squid Game raises powerful questions about human behavior, society, and the pursuit of money. But if you’re a fan of the show, why not use it to boost your German?

One of the most effective ways to learn German—or any language for that matter—is by watching TV shows and movies you actually enjoy. Turn on the subtitles, listen carefully, and pick up new words in context.

In this article, we’ll explore the key themes of Squid Game and give you useful German vocabulary and example sentences along the way. Whether you’re at A2 or B2 level, you’ll expand your vocabulary, reflect on big questions, and deepen both your German and your understanding of the world around you.

The Basics: Games, Winning, and Losing

One of the most striking things about Squid Game is how innocent children’s games become deadly competitions. Here’s some key vocabulary:

German	English
das Spiel	the game
spielen	to play
gewinnen	to win
verlieren	to lose
der Gewinner / die Gewinnerin	the winner
der Verlierer / die Verliererin	the loser
ausscheiden	to be eliminated
das Kinderspiel	children’s game
die Runde	the round

Risk, Greed & Desperation – Expressing Motivation

Why do the characters return to the game voluntarily, even knowing they might die? It’s often because of greed (die Gier) or desperation (die Verzweiflung).

German	English
die Gier	greed
die Verzweiflung	despair, desperation
riskieren	to risk
überleben	to survive
die Entscheidung	the decision
das Preisgeld	the prize money
die Schulden	debt
der Ausweg	way out / escape
freiwillig	voluntarily

Capitalism & Competition – Talking About Society

Squid Game is often interpreted as a harsh critique of capitalism (der Kapitalismus) and social inequality (soziale Ungleichheit). It shows how people compete, betray, or cooperate under pressure.

German	English
der Kapitalismus	capitalism
die Gesellschaft	society
der Wettbewerb	competition
das System	the system
der Druck	pressure
die Ungerechtigkeit	injustice
kurzfristig / langfristig	short-term / long-term
die Hierarchie	hierarchy
die Macht	power

Teamwork & Trust – or Betrayal?

Some of the games show the importance of teamwork (die Teamarbeit), like the tug-of-war (das Tauziehen). But in the end, trust (das Vertrauen) becomes fragile.

German	English
die Teamarbeit	teamwork
das Vertrauen	trust
der Verrat	betrayal
der Egoismus	selfishness
gemeinsam	together
allein	alone
der Zusammenhalt	solidarity
die Loyalität	loyalty
die Zusammenarbeit	collaboration

Conclusion: What Squid Game Can Teach You – in Life and in German

Squid Game isn’t just exciting to watch. It also shows us how people think, act, and make tough decisions.

By watching the show in German, you can grow your vocabulary and reflect on powerful topics like trust, pressure, and survival.

Learning through stories makes new words easier to remember.

So next time you watch a show you love, try this:

• Watch it in German
• Turn on subtitles
• Write down useful vocabulary

It’s a fun, natural way to boost your German—one episode at a time.