die  Karikatur

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/kaʁikaˈtuːɐ̯/

✍️ What does "die Karikatur" mean?

Die Karikatur (noun, feminine) refers to a comically exaggerated or distorted representation of people, things, or social situations. Typically, certain features or characteristics are deliberately exaggerated to ridicule, criticize, or simply humorously depict a person or situation.

It is a form of visual art, but also finds application in literature and theatre. It often serves satire or political expression.

Since only the article "die" was provided, there are no different meanings based on different articles for this word. It is always feminine: die Karikatur.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar and Declension of Karikatur

"Karikatur" is a feminine noun. The article is always "die".

Example Sentences

1. Die Zeitung veröffentlichte eine treffende Karikatur des Politikers. (The newspaper published an apt caricature of the politician.)
2. Er erkannte sich sofort in der lustigen Karikatur wieder. (He immediately recognized himself in the funny caricature.)
3. Viele Künstler verdienen ihr Geld mit dem Zeichnen von Karikaturen auf Stadtfesten. (Many artists earn their money drawing caricatures at city festivals.)
4. Die Ausstellung zeigte politische Karikaturen aus dem letzten Jahrhundert. (The exhibition showed political caricatures from the last century.)

🖼️ Everyday Usage

The term die Karikatur is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Art & Media: In newspapers, magazines, and online media to comment on current events or famous personalities.
• Politics: As a means of political satire and critique.
• Entertainment: At events where sketch artists create caricatures of guests.
• Literature/Theatre: Less commonly, to describe exaggerated characters or situations.

Distinction: A Karikatur differs from a simple Porträt (portrait) through deliberate exaggeration. It is often part of Satire (satire), but not all satire is a caricature. A Zeichnung (drawing) is a general term that can include caricatures, but doesn't have to.

🧠 Mnemonics for Karikatur

Article Mnemonic: Many words related to art or depiction in German are feminine (die Kunst - art, die Malerei - painting, die Zeichnung - drawing). Remember that die Karikatur fits this pattern.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone drawing you with a 'car-sized' nose and 'miniature' ears – a 'care-icature' representation meant to cause laughter. That's a Karikatur – a curious and exaggerated tour of the face!

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Caution: Not every funny drawing is a Karikatur. A Karikatur requires the deliberate exaggeration of characteristic features.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Karikaturist sein Modell: "Stört es Sie, wenn ich Ihre Nase etwas größer zeichne?"
Antwortet das Modell: "Überhaupt nicht, dann habe ich endlich mehr Platz zum Atmen auf dem Papier!"

Translation:
The caricaturist asks his model: "Does it bother you if I draw your nose a bit bigger?"
The model replies: "Not at all, then I'll finally have more room to breathe on the paper!"

📜 Poem about Karikatur

Mit spitzem Stift, ganz ohne Scheu,
entsteht ein Bild, verzerrt und neu.
Die Nase krumm, das Kinn ganz breit,
die Wahrheit lacht zur Heiterkeit.
Ein Spiegelbild, doch stark verzogen,
die Karikatur, kess und verwogen.

Translation:
With a sharp pen, without shyness,
an image emerges, distorted and new.
The nose crooked, the chin quite wide,
truth laughs for amusement's tide.
A mirror image, yet strongly warped,
the caricature, sassy and contorted.

🤔 Little Riddle

Ich zeige Gesichter, doch nicht wie sie sind,
vergrößere Nasen geschwind.
Mal lustig, mal bissig, oft sehr direkt,
hab' manches Geheimnis schon aufgedeckt.
In Zeitungen oft, auf Papier gebracht,
wer oder was hat dich hier angelacht?

Translation:
I show faces, but not as they are,
I enlarge noses quickly, near and far.
Sometimes funny, sometimes biting, often very direct,
I have uncovered many a secret aspect.
Often in newspapers, brought onto paper,
who or what has made you laugh or caper?

Answer: die Karikatur

💡 Other Interesting Facts

Word Origin: The word "Karikatur" comes from the Italian verb caricare, meaning "to load" or "to charge". This reflects the idea of "loading" a depiction with exaggerated features.

Famous Caricaturists: Germany has a long tradition of political caricaturists whose works often spark debate. Honoré Daumier in France is considered one of the pioneers of caricature.