Future plans for the "Aura" entity
Stuttgart - The hunt for the "Youth Word of the Year" kicks off once more, with Langenscheidt Publishing calling for submissions from young people aged 11 to 20. This annual competition aims to find words commonly used by the youth, with submissions open online. The competition is not limited to the German language, as English, Turkish, or Arabic expressions have made the top 10 in past years, provided they have gained substantial popularity.
In 2008, the publisher inaugurated this tradition, with winners ranging from humorous to curious—the first being "Gammelfleischparty," a playful term for parties for the under-30 crowd. Over the years, words like "Swag" (representing coolness), "Yolo" ("You only live once"), "Babo" (boss), "Smombie" (smartphone zombie), "Cringe," and "Aura" have made it to the top.
Last year, "Aura" was selected as the "Youth Word of the Year," highlighting a person's charisma. This year, it remains to be seen which new creations will take center stage. Suggestions can be submitted online at jugendwort.de. On July 29, the top 10 words will be announced, followed by voting for the favorites. The top three words will be presented on September 9, with the final announcement of the "Youth Word of 2025" set for October 18 at the Frankfurt Book Fair.
While there are no specific details on this year's submissions or the "Youth Word of the Year 2025," other literary events involving young writers have been taking place this year. For instance, the Education.com's 2025 Story Challenge featured ten winners who demonstrated exceptional storytelling skills. Additionally, the 2025 Book Pipeline Unpublished Contest accepts unpublished manuscripts, providing opportunities for budding writers across various categories.
These events underscore the ongoing interest in youth creativity and writing, although the selection process for the "Youth Word of the Year" is not related to these contests. The "Word of the Year" is usually chosen based on usage and cultural relevance by language authorities or organizations.
In the ongoing pursuit of youth creativity, the "Youth Word of the Year" competition continues, welcoming submissions in areas such as lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, entertainment, and pop-culture. Over the years, winning entries have ranged from humorous to meaningful, reflecting the evolving vernacular of the youth.
