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Which one is correct, "Selber schuld" or "selbst schuld"? Is there a difference in meaning?

My guess was that they're both correct but in different contexts, but I can't find any examples to back this up.

Related: Selbst oder selber, but my question is specifically about "selbst/selber schuld".

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Matt Fenwick
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1 Answers1

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Selbst or selber:

Duden - Richtiges und gutes Deutsch, 6. Aufl. Mannheim 2007: Die Form selbst gehört mehr der Standardsprache oder der gehobenen Sprache an, die Form selber dagegen wird zuweilen als umgangssprachlich empfunden.

The meaning of the two words is identical, even though selber is somehow received as colloquial. This is also true when combined with Schuld. Note that Schuld is, depending on context, correct both upper- and lower-case:

selbst schuld sein

selbst Schuld haben

selber schuld sein

selber Schuld haben

(Examples by korrekturen.de)

I think they're both correct in any context, it's a matter of style (i.e. whether you're talking colloquial language).

OregonGhost
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    Hey, just saw after writing this answer that I also wrote the accepted answer to the linked question. That explains why I was thinking that I already answered this question ;) – OregonGhost Dec 01 '11 at 17:22
  • Some context: A child would very probably say "selber schuld" to another child ("neener, neener"). An adult commenting on another adult having taken a big risk and failed would probably state "selbst schuld". The first one feels more teasing to me, and the latter more like a factual statement. – fzwo Dec 01 '11 at 17:27
  • I think that is really subjective, even though it emphasizes the fact that selber is regarded more as colloquial today, but the words do not actually imply that. If a child would say "selbst schuld", it would be the same. An internet/text message slang version is, by the way, sskm (selbst schuld, kein Mitleid), and you say that to others ;) – OregonGhost Dec 01 '11 at 17:29
  • Yes, it's subjective. That's why I've used "probably" and "feels" :) Though I do think "selbst" is too refined language for most children. – fzwo Dec 01 '11 at 18:42
  • @fzwo: Is "neener neener" a German or an English term? Is this what you meant? If so, do children use it in the same situation as "selber schuld"? –  Dec 01 '11 at 18:57
  • It's english, and (though take this with a grain of salt, I'm not a native english speaker) used to tease other children. I didn't mean it as a translation of "selber schuld", I just wanted to provide some colorful context. – fzwo Dec 01 '11 at 19:12
  • "neener neener" sounds similar to "nänänänänääänä" in German. Now please don't ask about the correct pronounciation ;) – OregonGhost Dec 02 '11 at 09:13