rip-off
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rip-off
A colloquial expression for fraud or for charging a greatly inflated price for a product or service.
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!
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.
Er hat sich über die dreiste Abzocke beim Ticketkauf beschwert.
He complained about the brazen rip-off when buying the ticket.
'Abzocke' (rip-off) is a strongly colloquial word. It expresses anger and outrage and should be avoided in formal or neutral contexts.
Die versteckten Gebühren sind eine echte Abzocke.
The hidden fees are a real rip-off.
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!).
Für diese schlechte Qualität so viel zu verlangen, ist die reinste Abzocke.
Charging so much for this poor quality is a total rip-off.
fraud / cheating
'der Betrug' and 'die Abzocke' can both mean that someone is unfairly deceived, often for money. 'der Betrug' is more neutral and is also a legal term for deliberate deception. 'die Abzocke' is colloquial and sounds more emotional. It is often used when a price is far too high or someone feels exploited. The words can be confused because a rip-off often feels like fraud. For official or legal situations, 'Betrug' is more appropriate. In everyday speech, when you are annoyed about an unfair price, 'Abzocke' sounds more natural.
Karim fand, dass der Eintritt viel zu teuer war und nannte es Abzocke.
Karim thought the entrance fee was far too expensive and called it a rip-off.
Nach der Nachricht hat er den Betrug sofort bei der Bank gemeldet.
After the message, he immediately reported the fraud to the bank.