die Abzocke
rip-off
A colloquial expression for fraud or for charging a greatly inflated price for a product or service.
EXAMPLE
Zehn Euro für ein Glas Wasser? Das ist ja die reinste Abzocke!
Ten euros for a glass of water? That's a total rip-off!
die Abzocke
rip-off
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure
The word comes from the colloquial verb 'abzocken' (to rip someone off). The prefix 'ab-' here intensifies the negative meaning of the verb 'zocken' (colloquial for to gamble, often for money), in the sense of taking something away from someone.
EXAMPLE
Er hat sich über die dreiste Abzocke beim Ticketkauf beschwert.
He complained about the brazen rip-off when buying the ticket.
Register: colloquial language
'Abzocke' (rip-off) is a strongly colloquial word. It expresses anger and outrage and should be avoided in formal or neutral contexts.
EXAMPLE
Die versteckten Gebühren sind eine echte Abzocke.
The hidden fees are a real rip-off.
Typical use
The word is very often used with the verb 'sein' (to be), often intensified by 'rein' or 'pur'. Typical sentences are 'Das ist die reinste Abzocke!' (That's a total rip-off!) or 'Das ist doch pure Abzocke!' (That's pure rip-off!).
EXAMPLE
Für diese schlechte Qualität so viel zu verlangen, ist die reinste Abzocke.
Charging so much for this poor quality is a total rip-off.
Compare with
Abzocke vs Betrug
fraud / cheating
Both „Betrug“ and „Abzocke“ can refer to a seemingly unfair demand for money or to deception. „Betrug“ specifically asserts deliberate deception in order to obtain an unlawful advantage. „Abzocke“ is more colloquial and also fits a greatly inflated price, even when no such deception can be proven.
Abzocke
Für die kurze Fahrt verlangte der Fahrer hundert Euro, und die Touristen beschwerten sich über diese Abzocke.
The driver charged one hundred euros for the short trip, and the tourists complained that it was a rip-off.
Betrug
Die Firma versprach eine Rückzahlung, obwohl sie von Anfang an wusste, dass sie das Geld behalten würde, und die Kunden nannten das Betrug.
The company promised a refund even though it had known from the outset that it would keep the money, and the customers called it fraud.
In real life
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