Terms like “Süße Omi” (“sweet granny”) and “Alter Mann” (“old man”) may now be considered age discrimination in Germany.
The German government has backed a proposal to combat ageism, following an expert report analyzing the status of the elderly population.
Germany is home to over 18 million people aged 65 and older, and experts highlight that age discrimination negatively impacts mental and physical health as well as quality of life. The World Health Organization has also been advocating against ageism for years.
While attitudes toward older people in Germany are generally positive, seniors are often seen as less competent—especially when driving or using modern technology. The German Ministry for Family Affairs emphasizes that raising awareness is key to tackling this issue, and legal changes are not ruled out.
As for language, the initiative does not target affectionate terms used within families—grandchildren can still call their grandmother “Omi.” However, using diminutive or age-focused terms with strangers can be seen as disrespectful and demeaning.
