German word

Humor

Pronunciation

IPA/huˈmoːɐ̯/

Meaning

  • masculine nounhumor

Example

Sein Humor bringt uns oft zum Lachen.

His humor often makes us laugh.

Illustration for Humor (humor)

More examples

Sie nahm die Kritik mit Humor.

She took the criticism with humor.

Core concept

A person spots an amusing angle in an ordinary situation and shares it lightly, so others smile or laugh.

Common phrases

  • etwas mit Humor nehmen

    take something with humor

  • selbstironischer Humor

    self-deprecating humor

  • mit Humor kommentieren

    comment with humor

Similar words

Witz: A short joke told to make people laugh.
Scherz: A lighthearted joke or playful remark that eases the mood.
Ironie: A remark that suggests the opposite of its literal meaning for comic effect.
Spaß: Fun or enjoyment created by an activity or social atmosphere.

Definition in German

Humor ist die Fähigkeit, Situationen oder Aussagen auf eine witzige oder ironische Weise zu betrachten und dadurch andere zum Lachen oder Schmunzeln zu bringen.

Word origin

German Humor comes from Latin humor, meaning moisture, which developed through the theory of bodily fluids into a word for temperament and later amusement.

Usage tips

  • German uses der Humor for a person's general sense of humor, while ein Witz usually means one particular joke.

Other meanings

  • witnoun

Opposites

  • Ernstseriousnessnoun

Related words

  • humorloshumorlessadjective
  • humorvollhumorousadjective

Word lists with this word