German Conversation · Level 114
44 words
German word
Pointe
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈpo̯ɛ̃ːtə/
Meaning
- feminine nounpunchline
Example
Ich habe die Pointe nicht erwartet.
I didn't expect the punchline.
More examples
Bei Gags ist es wichtig, dass die Pointe sitzt.
In jokes, it is important that the punchline lands.
Core concept
A story narrows to a sharp final turn that suddenly makes the audience laugh or react.
Common phrases
die Pointe sitzt
the punchline lands
die Pointe kommt gut an
The punchline goes down well
Similar words
Schlusspointe: A brief closing twist that ends a story or performance with surprise or laughter.
Gag: A short comic device or line intended to get an immediate laugh.
Witz: A brief joke or amusing remark told to make people laugh.
Wortspiel: A playful use of word meanings or sounds to create humor or wit.
Definition in German
Die Pointe ist der überraschende und oft humorvolle Abschluss eines Witzes, einer Anekdote oder einer Erzählung, der beim Publikum Lachen oder Verwunderung auslöst.
Word origin
Pointe is borrowed from French pointe, meaning a point or tip, and came to denote the sharp decisive point of a joke or story.
Usage tips
- Pointe is feminine in German, so the forms are die Pointe and die Pointen, not an English-style plural.
Other meanings
- payoffnoun
Related words
- pointiertpointedadjective
- Pointierungpunchline constructionnoun