German word

Streich

Pronunciation

IPA/ʃtʁaɪ̯ç/

Meaning

  • masculine nounprank

Example

Sie plant einen Streich gegen ihren Bruder.

She plans a prank on her brother.

Illustration for Streich (prank)

More examples

Die Kinder spielten dem Lehrer einen Streich, aber niemand wurde verletzt.

The children played a prank on the teacher, but no one was injured.

Core concept

A single stroke that changes the situation, whether it hits physically, succeeds cleverly, or catches someone playfully off guard.

Common phrases

  • jemandem einen Streich spielen

    play a prank on ___

  • einen Streich aushecken

    devise a prank

  • einen bösen Streich

    a nasty prank

Similar words

Scherz: A light joke or act arranged to make someone laugh.
Schabernack: A small piece of playful mischief done for fun.
Neckerei: Light teasing meant to amuse someone.
Witz: A short expression or story intended to make people laugh.

Definition in German

Eine kurzzeitige, meist spielerische Handlung, die jemanden überrascht oder neckt.

Word origin

Streich is derived from streichen and is related to English stroke; its older sense was a stroke or blow, while later senses describe a coup or prank.

Usage tips

  • The common pattern jemandem einen Streich spielen uses dative jemandem for the person targeted by the prank.

Other meanings

  • strokenoun
  • coupnoun

Opposites

  • Ernstseriousnessnoun
  • Seriositätseriousnessnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word