der  Trick

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/tʁɪk/

🎩 What exactly is a 'Trick'?

Der Trick (noun, masculine) in German refers to a skillful, often surprising method or action to achieve a specific goal. It can be a clever Kniff (knack), a Kunstgriff (artifice, clever move), a List (ruse, cunning plan), or a Zaubertrick (magic trick).

• Kniff/Kunstgriff: A clever solution to a problem or task (e.g., ein technischer Trick - a technical trick/hack).
• List/Finte: A method to deceive or outsmart someone (e.g., ein fauler Trick - a dirty/rotten trick).
• Zaubertrick: An illusion or feat performed for entertainment (e.g., ein Kartentrick - a card trick).
• Special skill/knack: Sometimes used in the sense of "getting the hang of something" (e.g., Der Trick dabei ist, Geduld zu haben. - The trick/key is to be patient.).

⚠️ Attention: Depending on the context, der Trick can have a neutral, positive (clever) or negative (devious) connotation.

🧐 Grammar: Declension of 'der Trick'

The noun "Trick" is masculine and only uses the article der. Here is its declension:

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der Zauberer zeigte einen unglaublichen Trick. (The magician showed an incredible trick.)
2. Kennst du den Trick, wie man das Fenster öffnet? (Do you know the trick/knack for opening the window?)
3. Mit diesem einfachen Trick sparst du viel Zeit. (With this simple trick, you save a lot of time.)
4. Das Geheimnis des Tricks wurde nie gelüftet. (The secret of the trick was never revealed.)
5. Die Kinder liebten die kleinen Tricks des Clowns. (The children loved the clown's little tricks.)

💡 How 'der Trick' is Used

Der Trick is a versatile word appearing in various contexts:

• Problem-solving & Everyday life: "Ich kenne einen Trick, wie man den Fleck rausbekommt." (I know a trick/hack to get the stain out.)
• Entertainment: "Sein bester Trick war das Verschwindenlassen der Münze." (His best trick was making the coin disappear.)
• Sports & Games: "Der Skateboarder zeigte einige coole Tricks." (The skateboarder showed some cool tricks.)
• Deception/Outsmarting: "Das war ein gemeiner Trick, um an das Geld zu kommen." (That was a mean/dirty trick to get the money. - often negative)
• Idioms: "den Trick raushaben" (to get the hang of it), "auf einen Trick hereinfallen" (to fall for a trick).

Compared to der Kniff, which is often more technical or manual, der Trick can be used more broadly, including for social or psychological maneuvers. Die List (the ruse) usually has negative connotations and aims at deception, while der Trick can also be neutral or positive.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Trick'

For the article: Think of a magician performing a trick - he's a man, so it's 'der Trick'. Or maybe it's a tricky truck driver - the 'r' sounds hint at 'der'.

For the meaning: A 'Trick' sounds like 'track' - it's a clever way or 'track' to get somewhere or solve something, maybe even off the beaten track. It makes things 'click' like a trick.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Words

⚠️ Similar but Misleading Words:

• Das Tracking: (Anglicism) tracking data or shipments. Sounds similar but unrelated to 'Trick'.

😂 A Little Joke

Lehrer: "Was ist der schnellste Weg, um Milch haltbar zu machen?"
Schüler: "Keine Ahnung, Herr Lehrer."
Lehrer: "Ganz einfach: Kauf keine Kühe, die Tricks können!"

Teacher: "What's the fastest way to make milk last long?"
Student: "No idea, teacher."
Teacher: "Simple: Don't buy cows that know tricks!"

(This is a pun: 'haltbar machen' means 'to preserve/make last longer', but it could humorously be interpreted as 'to make holdable/stoppable'. The joke implies a cow doing tricks might spill the milk or something similar, hence not being 'haltbar'.)

📜 Poem about a Trick

Ein kleiner Trick, ganz fein und schlau,
löst das Problem, man glaubt es kaum.
Ob Kartenspiel, ob Lebenskniff,
er braucht Verstand und einen Griff. Mal ehrlich, mal zur Täuschung klein,
so kann ein cleverer Trick eben sein.

A little trick, quite fine and smart,
solves the problem, sets things apart.
A card game feat, or life's sharp knack,
it needs a mind, there's no turning back.
Sometimes honest, sometimes a slight,
a clever trick can shine so bright.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin ein Kniff, mal groß, mal klein,
lass Dinge anders möglich sein.
Ein Zauberer zeigt mich gern im Licht,
ein Schwindler nutzt mich, ehrlich nicht.
Ich helf dir oft aus der Not,
bin manchmal schlau, manchmal wie Spott.

Was bin ich?

I am a knack, sometimes big, sometimes small,
I make different outcomes possible for all.
A magician likes to show me in the light,
a swindler uses me, not doing what's right.
I often help you when in need,
sometimes clever, sometimes like mockery indeed.

What am I?
Solution: Der Trick (the trick)

➕ Other Information about 'der Trick'

Etymology: The word "Trick" was borrowed in the 18th century from the English "trick", which itself derives from the Old French "tricher" (to cheat).

Word Formations (Wortbildungen):

• austricksen: to outsmart someone using a trick.
• trickreich: tricky, full of tricks, ingenious, artful.
• der Trickfilm: an animated film/cartoon (literally 'trick film').
• der Trickbetrug: fraud committed using a trick or deception.