die  Satire

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/zaˈtiːʁə/

🎭 What Exactly is "die Satire"?

Die Satire (feminine, plural: die Satiren) is an art form or literary genre that uses ridicule, exaggeration, irony, or other humorous means to criticize, mock, or denounce individuals, events, conditions, or human weaknesses. The goal is often to provoke thought, expose grievances, or simply to entertain, frequently with a critical undertone.

It's a feminine noun, so it's always 'die' Satire.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Die Satire

The word "Satire" is a feminine noun. Therefore, the article is always die.

Declension of die Satire (Satire)

Example Sentences

1. Die Satire ist eine scharfe Waffe der Kritik. (Satire is a sharp weapon of criticism.)
2. Er versteht die Satire hinter der Aussage nicht. (He doesn't understand the satire behind the statement.)
3. Mit der Satire wurde der Politiker bloßgestellt. (The politician was exposed through the satire.)
4. Viele Zeitungen veröffentlichen politische Satiren. (Many newspapers publish political satires.)

✍️ How to Use "Satire"?

"Satire" is mainly used in the context of art, literature, media, and social criticism.

• In Literatur & Kunst (literature & art): As a term for a work (e.g., a book, play, film, cartoon) that contains satirical elements. Example: "Jonathan Swift's 'Gulliver's Travels' is a famous Satire."
• In den Medien (the media): Often in the form of columns, cartoons, TV shows (like the 'heute-show' in Germany), or satirical magazines (like 'Titanic' or 'Der Postillon'). Example: "Yesterday's show featured a clever Satire on the current political debate."
• As a Stilmittel (stylistic device): One can also speak of 'satirischer Witz' (satirical wit) or a 'satirischer Ton' (satirical tone). Example: "His speech was full of biting Satire."

Important: Satire is not just Humor. It usually has a critical intention and can be quite hurtful or provocative. It often operates at the edge of what is considered acceptable.

🧠 Mnemonics for Satire

Article Mnemonic: Think of DIE criticism, the art form that stings – SatirE ends in -e, which often indicates feminine nouns in German. DIE SatirE.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine someone is sad/sarcastic about society and wants to tire it out with jokes and criticism. Sa-tire. Or think of it as 'setting fire' (metaphorically) to hypocrisy with wit.

🔄 Similar and Different: Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Caution: Terms like Zynismus (cynicism) or Sarkasmus (sarcasm) are related to Satire but are not identical. Zynismus is often a general attitude of contempt, while Sarkasmus is a form of biting mockery.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt ein Politiker den anderen: "Was ist der Unterschied zwischen Tragödie und Satire?"

Antwortet der andere: "Tragödie ist, wenn mir etwas Schlimmes passiert. Satire ist, wenn dir etwas Schlimmes passiert und ich darüber lache."

Translation:

One politician asks another: "What's the difference between tragedy and satire?"

The other replies: "Tragedy is when something bad happens to me. Satire is when something bad happens to you and I laugh about it."

📜 Verses on Satire

Die Satire, spitz und fein,
sticht gern ins falsche Heiligenschein.
Mit Witz und Spott, mal laut, mal leise,
zeigt sie der Welt die schiefe Reise.
Sie lacht, wo andre ernsthaft klagen,
und stellt die unbequemen Fragen.
Ein Spiegel, krumm und doch so klar,
die Wahrheit unter der Narrenkapp' ist wahr.

Translation:

Satire, sharp and fine,
loves to pierce the false halo's shine.
With wit and mockery, loud or low,
it shows the world the crooked way to go.
It laughs where others seriously complain,
and asks the uncomfortable questions again.
A mirror, bent, yet oh so clear,
the truth beneath the jester's cap is dear (or: is true).

❓ Little Riddle

Ich kleide Kritik in Humor und Spott,
manchmal treff ich genau, manchmal knapp daneben, ein Schuss ins Lot.
Ich nutze Ironie und Übertreibung mit Bedacht,
habe schon manchen Mächtigen zur Weißglut gebracht.
In Büchern, Shows und Bildern bin ich zu Haus,
wer bin ich, der spitze, lachende Applaus?

Translation:

I dress criticism in humor and jest,
sometimes I hit the mark, sometimes I miss, putting power to the test.
I use irony and exaggeration with care,
I've driven many powerful people to despair.
In books, shows, and pictures I make my place,
who am I, the sharp, laughing applause, the pointed grace?

Solution: die Satire

🤓 Trivia

• Etymology: The word "Satire" comes from the Latin (lanx) satura, which originally meant "a bowl filled with various fruits", later a "medley" or "mixture", and finally a literary genre mixing various themes and forms.
• Famous Satirists: In the German-speaking world, Kurt Tucholsky, Karl Kraus, or currently Jan Böhmermann are well-known. Internationally, figures include Jonathan Swift, George Orwell, or the creators of "South Park".
• Freedom of Satire: In Germany, Satire is protected by the freedom of art (Article 5 of the Basic Law - Grundgesetz), but it repeatedly hits boundaries, for example, when personal rights are violated (Schmähkritik - defamatory criticism).