der
Witz
😂 What does "der Witz" mean?
The German word der Witz has several meanings:
- Main meaning: A short, humorous story or remark intended to make people laugh. Synonyms include Scherz (joke) or Gag (gag). Example: Er hat einen guten Witz erzählt. (He told a good joke.)
- Figurative meaning 1: The crucial point, the punchline, or the deeper meaning of something. Synonyms are Clou (key point) or Pointe (punchline). Example: Der Witz an der Sache ist, dass es trotzdem funktioniert. (The point/funny thing about it is that it works anyway.)
- Figurative meaning 2 (less common): Wit, cleverness, esprit. Example: Sie hat viel Witz und Charme. (She has a lot of wit and charm.) ⚠️ This meaning is somewhat dated and used less frequently.
The word "Witz" always takes the masculine article der.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-tz → almost always masculine.
🧐 Grammar of "Witz" in Detail
The noun der Witz is masculine. Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Nom) | der Witz | ein Witz |
| Genitive (Gen) | des Witzes | eines Witzes |
| Dative (Dat) | dem Witz(e) | einem Witz(e) |
| Accusative (Acc) | den Witz | einen Witz |
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Witze | Witze |
| Genitive | der Witze | Witze |
| Dative | den Witzen | Witzen |
| Accusative | die Witze | Witze |
💡 Example Sentences
- Kennst du einen guten Witz?
(Do you know a good joke?) - Das Ende des Witzes war überraschend.
(The end of the joke was surprising.) - Er lachte über die Witze.
(He laughed at the jokes.) - Der eigentliche Witz daran ist, dass es niemandem aufgefallen ist.
(The actual point/joke about it is that nobody noticed.) - Mit viel Witz meisterte er die schwierige Situation.
(He handled the difficult situation with great wit.) (less common meaning)
💬 How is "Witz" used?
Der Witz is mostly used in the context of humor and entertainment.
- Witze erzählen/machen (Telling/making jokes): A very common usage. "Er kann gut Witze erzählen." (He's good at telling jokes.)
- Einen Witz verstehen (Understanding a joke): "Ich habe den Witz nicht verstanden." (I didn't get the joke.)
- Guter/schlechter/flacher Witz (Good/bad/lame joke): Used to evaluate humor. "Das war ein wirklich flacher Witz." (That was a really lame/corny joke.) (A 'Flachwitz' is a simple, often predictable joke).
- Der Witz an der Sache (The point/joke of the matter): Used to describe the punchline or the surprising/ironic aspect of a situation. "Der Witz an der Sache war, dass er den Schlüssel die ganze Zeit in der Tasche hatte." (The funny thing/point was that he had the key in his pocket the whole time.)
- Kein Witz! (No joke!): Used to emphasize that something is serious. "Ich habe im Lotto gewonnen, kein Witz!" (I won the lottery, no joke!)
- Etwas hat Witz (Something has wit): Means something is witty or clever. "Ihre Bemerkung hatte Witz." (Her remark had wit.)
🚨 Avoid telling jokes (Witze) that could be offensive or discriminatory.
Compared to Scherz, a Witz is often a more structured narrative, while a Scherz can also be a playful action (e.g., a prank).
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article "der": Think that jokes are often told by men (der Mann), or imagine der lion telling a joke.
Meaning: The word "Witz" sounds a bit like the English word "wit". Good jokes (Witze) often require wit or a clever point (Pointe).
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Witz
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Scherz: Often interchangeable, but can also mean prank.
- Gag: Short, often visual or situational joke.
- Pointe: The punchline or core of a joke. Also used for the figurative meaning ("Der Witz an der Sache").
- Clou: Similar to Pointe, the main point.
- Spaß: General term for fun, amusement. A Witz can provide Spaß.
- Kalauer: A simple pun or dad joke.
- Anekdote: A short, often personal story, which can also be humorous.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
- Ernst: Seriousness, the opposite of fun and humor.
- Ernsthaftigkeit: The quality of being serious.
- Traurigkeit: Sadness, an emotion contrasting with laughter.
- Langeweile: Boredom; a joke aims to entertain, not bore.
⚠️ Similar Words: The word Gewitztheit (shrewdness, cleverness) is etymologically related to Witz but isn't the same.
😄 A Little Joke
DE: Fragt der Lehrer: "Was ist flüssiger als Wasser?"
Schüler: "Hausaufgaben! Die sind nämlich überflüssig."
EN: The teacher asks: "What is more fluid than water?"
Pupil: "Homework! Because it's superfluous (überflüssig)." (The joke plays on the word "überflüssig", which literally means "over-liquidly" but idiomatically means "superfluous" or "unnecessary").
📜 Poem about the Witz
DE:
Ein Witz, ganz kurz und fein,
soll uns zum Lachen sein.
Mal laut, mal leis', mal schlau,
vertreibt er jedes Grau.
Ob als Pointe oder Scherz,
erfreut er unser Herz.
EN:
A joke (Witz), quite short and fine,
is meant to make us shine (with laughter).
Sometimes loud, soft, or clever,
it drives away gray weather.
Whether punchline or jest,
it pleases our heart's nest.
❓ Riddle Time
DE:
Ich habe einen Anfang, ein Mittelstück, ein End'.
Am besten bin ich, wenn man mich gut kennt.
Ich bringe dich zum Lachen, wenn ich gelungen,
manchmal bin ich auch nur platt und erzwungen.
Mal bin ich der Kern, der Sinn einer Geschicht'.
Wer bin ich, sag's schnell, mit frohem Gesicht?
EN:
I have a beginning, a middle part, an end.
I'm best when you know me well, my friend.
I make you laugh when I succeed,
Sometimes I'm just flat or forced indeed.
Sometimes I'm the core, the point of a story's light.
Who am I, tell me quick, with a face so bright?
Solution: der Witz (the joke)
✨ Other Info about "der Witz"
Wortzusammensetzungen (Compound Words):
- Flachwitz: A very simple, often predictable joke (lame joke, dad joke).
- Kalauer: A pun.
- Herrenwitz: A joke often considered sexist or crude ('gentleman's joke').
- Treppenwitz: (Literally 'staircase joke') L'esprit de l'escalier; a witty remark or comeback that occurs to you too late.
- Witzbold: A person who likes to make jokes, a joker.
Etymology: The word "Witz" comes from the Old High German "wizzi", which originally meant "knowledge", "understanding". The modern meaning "joke" developed later. It's related to the English word "wit".
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Witz?
The German word for "joke" or "point" is der Witz. It is always masculine.