German Conversation · Level 41
72 words
German word
Witz
Pronunciation
IPA/vɪts/
Meaning
- masculine nounjoke
Example
Er hört gern Witze im Radio.
He likes listening to jokes on the radio.
More examples
Bei formellen Anlässen passt kein Witz.
No joke is appropriate on formal occasions.
Core concept
A flash of mental sharpness expressed as a joke, pun, or pointed remark.
Common phrases
sich über einen Witz amüsieren
be amused by a joke
einen Witz bringen
tell a joke
auf einen Witz eingehen
respond to a joke
Similar words
Scherz: A playful remark or act meant to amuse rather than be taken seriously.
Anekdote: A brief account of a real event, told for its amusing or surprising detail.
Witzchen: A small, lighthearted joke or short humorous remark.
Ironie: A remark that conveys a pointed meaning by saying the opposite of what is meant.
Definition in German
Humorvolle Aussage oder kurze Erzählung, die durch Überraschung oder Pointe zum Lachen führt; auch ein schlagfertiger Einfall.
Word origin
The older Germanic word Witz originally referred to wit or understanding and later acquired its modern sense of a joke or witty remark.
Usage tips
- The adjective witzig means funny or witty, while Witz names the joke, pun, or pointed idea itself.
Other meanings
- witnoun
Opposites
- Seriositätseriousnessnoun
- Humorlosigkeithumorlessnessnoun
Related words
- witzloshumorlessadjective
- Witzfigurcomic figurenoun