German word

Satire

Pronunciation

IPA/zaˈtiːʁə/

Meaning

  • feminine nounsatire

Example

Ich lese gern Satiren.

I like reading satires.

Illustration for Satire (satire)

More examples

Das war nicht beleidigend; es war als Satire gemeint.

That was not insulting; it was meant as satire.

Core concept

A comic mirror that enlarges social flaws and human weaknesses until criticism becomes visible.

Common phrases

  • als Satire gemeint

    meant as satire

  • als Satire auffassen

    take as satire

  • eine klassische Satire

    a classic satire

Similar words

Ironie: A pointed remark whose intended meaning differs from its literal wording.
Sarkasmus: Harsh, sarcastic criticism aimed at hurting or condemning someone.
Parodie: A comic imitation that exaggerates recognizable features of an original.
Spott: Ridicule expressed through words or behavior to show scorn for someone.

Definition in German

Satire ist eine schriftliche oder künstlerische Ausdrucksform, die durch Ironie, Übertreibung oder Spott gesellschaftliche Missstände oder menschliche Schwächen kritisiert.

Word origin

German Satire comes through French from Latin satura, meaning a mixture, and later developed into a term for critical comic expression.

Usage tips

  • Satire is a feminine noun in German, so the article is die Satire and the plural is die Satiren.

Opposites

  • Lobliedhymn of praisenoun
  • Panegyrikpanegyricnoun

Related words

  • satirischsatiricaladjective
  • Satirikersatiristnoun
  • Satirepreissatire awardnoun

Word lists with this word