German word

Schalk

Pronunciation

IPA/ʃalk/

Meaning

  • masculine nounrascal

Example

Er ist ein Schalk.

He is a rascal.

Illustration for Schalk (rascal)

More examples

Sie sprach mit einem Schalk im Blick und erzählte den Streich kurz.

She spoke with a mischievous twinkle in her eye and briefly recounted the prank.

Core concept

A lively troublemaker whose teasing and small mischief create amusement rather than real harm.

Common phrases

  • mit einem Schalk im Blick

    with a mischievous twinkle in one's eye

  • die Rolle des Schalk übernehmen

    take on the role of the rascal

Similar words

Spaßvogel: A habitual joker who makes the people around them laugh.
Witzbold: A witty person who entertains others with funny remarks.
Schelm: A cunning prankster whose mischief remains endearing.
Scherzkeks: A person who delights in mild pranks and humorous jokes.

Definition in German

Schalk bezeichnet eine schelmische, neckische Person mit lebhaftem Humor.

Word origin

Schalk comes from Old High German scalc, meaning 'servant' or 'slave', and its medieval sense shifted toward a rogue before developing into the modern sense of a playful rascal.

Usage tips

  • Schalk is masculine, and its plural is Schälke, with an umlaut marking the vowel change.

Other meanings

  • pranksternoun
  • wagnoun

Opposites

  • Bravheitgood behaviornoun

Related words

  • schalkhaftmischievousadjective
  • Schalkhaftigkeitmischievousnessnoun

Word lists with this word