der  Klatsch

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/klatʃ/

🗣️ What does „der Klatsch“ mean?

The term der Klatsch primarily refers to casual, often derogatory talk or chatter about absent people or their affairs. It's basically the German word for gossip or tittle-tattle.

It usually has a negative connotation, as it often involves rumours or indiscreet information. However, sometimes it can simply mean light, entertaining conversation about acquaintances (e.g., during a Kaffeeklatsch - a coffee get-together).

⚠️ Caution: The word can occasionally also mean a loud bang or slap, similar to the verb „klatschen“ (to clap, to slap), but the meaning „Gerede/Gossip“ (talk/gossip) is far more common for the noun.

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Der Klatsch

The noun „Klatsch“ is masculine (maskulin). Here is the declension (Deklination):

Note: The plural „die Klatsche“ is rarely used for the meaning „Gerede/Gossip“. More often, people speak of „viel Klatsch“ (much gossip) in the singular or use paraphrases like „Klatschgeschichten“ (gossip stories). „Die Klatsche“ often also means „Ohrfeige“ (slap in the face) or „Niederlage“ (defeat).

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der neueste Klatsch aus Hollywood interessiert mich nicht. (I'm not interested in the latest gossip from Hollywood.)
2. Beim Kaffeekränzchen gibt es immer viel Klatsch und Tratsch. (At the coffee party, there's always a lot of gossip and chit-chat.)
3. Sie verbreitete bösen Klatsch über ihre Kollegin. (She spread nasty gossip about her colleague.)
4. Lass uns nicht über Klatsch reden, sondern über Fakten. (Let's not talk about gossip, but about facts.)

💬 Everyday Usage

Der Klatsch is mostly used in informal contexts when talking about social life, rumours, or the behaviour of others. It's often part of colloquial language (Umgangssprache).

• Typical situations: Break time conversations, meetings with friends (often at a so-called Kaffeeklatsch), social media, tabloid press.
• Connotation: Mostly negative or at least superficial. It often implies indiscretion or a lack of evidence for the claims.
• Difference from „Gerücht“ (rumour): A Gerücht is an unconfirmed piece of news that spreads. Klatsch is more about the act of talking about it, often more personal and less focused on a specific piece of news. Tratsch is a very close synonym for Klatsch.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Remembering the Article: Imagine 'DER' (masculine article sounds like 'the dear' old man) neighbour gossiping. Dear old Mr. Smith loves der Klatsch.

Remembering the Meaning: The sound „Klatsch!“ resembles the English word 'clatter' or 'clap'. Imagine gossip 'clattering' around quickly and loudly, just like Klatsch.

↔️ Opposites and Similarities

Potential Confusion: The verb klatschen can also mean „applaudieren“ (to applaud). The context clarifies the meaning.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum erzählt man einem Skelett keinen Klatsch?

Weil es direkt durch die Knochen geht und keiner es behält!

(Why don't you tell a skeleton gossip? Because it goes right through its bones and no one keeps it!)

✍️ Poem about Gossip

Der Klatsch, ein leises Flüstern nur,
Verbreitet sich auf jeder Spur.
Ein Wort hier, ein Gerüchtchen dort,
Schnell reist es fort von Ort zu Ort.
Mal harmlos, plaudernd, leicht und nett,
Mal böse, tief im Internet.
Drum prüfe, was die Zunge spricht,
Sonst schadet's dir und auch dem Licht.

(Gossip, just a soft whisper, / Spreads along every track. / A word here, a little rumour there, / Quickly it travels from place to place. / Sometimes harmless, chatting, light and nice, / Sometimes nasty, deep on the internet. / So check what your tongue speaks, / Or it harms you and also the light.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich habe keine Flügel, doch flieg' ich schnell umher.
Ich habe keine Stimme, doch hörst du mich sehr.
Ich handle von Personen, oft nicht sehr charmant.
Man teilt mich gern im Stillen, bin ich dir bekannt?

(I have no wings, yet I fly around quickly.
I have no voice, yet you hear me clearly.
I deal with people, often not very charmingly.
People like to share me quietly, am I known to you?)

Solution: Der Klatsch (Gossip)

💡 Other Information

Word Origin (Wortherkunft): The word „Klatsch“ is onomatopoeic (lautmalerisch). It imitates the sound of a slap or impact („klatsch!“), which was metaphorically transferred to the rapid, sometimes impactful spreading of talk.

Compounds (Zusammensetzungen):

• Kaffeeklatsch: A cozy get-together with coffee and cake, often associated with chatting and gossip.
• Klatschmaul / Klatschtante / Klatschbase: (Colloquial, often pejorative) A person who likes to gossip a lot (gossiper, busybody).
• Klatschpresse: Tabloid press that reports on the private lives of celebrities.