Hoppla (HOP-plah) Literally “oops!” or “whoops!” A small, harmless “oops” word, not a disaster word. You use hoppla for little slips and near-misses, often with a smile, like when something almost falls, or you catch yourself mid-stumble. If something actually goes wrong, Germans usually add that in: Hoppla, das ging schief. Otherwise it’s just a playful sound: Hoppla!