What‘s the German equivalent of the English word noob as often used in computer or Internet speak?
Do note, that I’m not looking for a word that simply corresponds to novice or newcomer in everyday situations, such as Neuling or Anfänger but for a word whose use is often limited to computer and Internet speak, and is on par with the English noob.
In German you use the same word as in English. It’s called an anglicism. Noob is often used in computer games:
Du bist doch voll der Noob!
But it’s classified as a offense. Anfänger or Newbie would be more friendly.
You can also decline noob exactly as a German Word. For more information see also this page.
download has more german than english roots whereas herunterladen was added far later.
With a bit of jest, some people still use Grünschnabel (greenhorn, literally “greenbeak“). It's not at all limited to internet speech, though, but if used there it has the same meaning as noob.
Occasionally I encounter the abbreviation
DAU ( = Dümmster anzunehmender User)
which might be appropriate in some contexts. It is typically applied, when malfunction of a program needs to be explained as a consequence to very unusual, inappropriate input, or an approach was chosen, which even a moderatly informed person would not even consider.
I think, Frischling comes close to noob.
Originally this word means the breed of wild boar but it is also used for people who don't yet have gathered much experience in an area of work.
It basically means the same as Neuling but has also a slight emphasis on the fact of being more or less clueless.
In addition to "Noob" you can actually use Anfänger. In a certain context and a certain tone, it's like the English "git gud":
Du Anfänger!
This usage is widespread in online gaming, but you can also use it when talking about other activities that require skill. This usage is most common in adolescent males.
Neuling is the closest native translation, which carries a connotation of lack of experience, but is less insulting.
It can also be used for experienced people who are new on the job.
I’ve witnessed this being used in several native German-speaking environments.
Since the German language offers such a vast and colorful variety of insults (well not really, more often than not it boils down to simply adding shit in some kind of way to an expression), please also consider the more aggressive way of telling someone, he still has a lot to learn:
Du Kackboon!
I find it quite interesting, that someone came up with idea of using noob in reverse. Nonetheless I've witnessed Kackboon often enough to be mentioned alongside the German use of noob.
We just call them "Noob", "Amateur", "Anfänger" or "Depp". :)
But mostly "Noob" is just fine...
I am astonished that nobody has provided this answer yet. I've been into online gaming for the better half of my life and can tell you with fair certainty that most German online gamers will understand the term
Nap
(say "nup") or in spoken context
Nappl
(say "nupil")
Example of use:
Du bist so ein Nap!
(= "You are such a noob")
I can even provide a source for my claim: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=nap (way down)
"Etymologically" it seems to come from the way the words are spoken: "noob" would be written as "nub" in German and "nub" would be pronounced like the German written word "nab", eventually arriving at the word "Nap". Seems like a long shot, but that's internet creativity in action ;)
Already mentioned synonyms that fit your question are "Boon" or the more derogatory "Kackboon" (say "cuck-boon").
Not a one word answer as there are already many, but with some good pop-cultural references, especciallly in music (hip hop in particular) I'd recommend Absolute Beginner now shortend to Beginner which is too broadly understood as a normal word. Otherwise as previously stated, Noob or Grünschnabel are great. The later being less internet speak though.
A matching translation for "noob" would be "Lappen"
