‘Biodeutsch’ Named Germany’s 2024 ‘Unword of the Year’

The term was criticized for promoting racial division by distinguishing between 'true' Germans and those with migration backgrounds.

The term 'biodeutsch' was selected as the 2024 'Unword of the Year' by a jury in Marburg, Germany, due to its discriminatory and racist implications.
Initially coined as a satirical term, 'biodeutsch' has increasingly been used in social and political discourse to categorize individuals based on supposed biological lineage.
The jury condemned the term for fostering a divisive narrative that separates 'true' Germans from those of migration backgrounds, labeling it a form of everyday racism.
The phrase gained traction in social media and political rhetoric, with some right-wing groups using it to emphasize ethnic homogeneity in Germany.
The annual 'Unword' initiative aims to raise awareness about language that undermines human dignity, with previous selections including 'Remigration' in 2023.