abzocken
to rip off
Colloquial for charging excessive prices or cheating someone out of money.
EXAMPLE
Der Handwerker hat versucht, mich mit der Rechnung richtig abzuzocken.
The tradesman tried to really rip me off with the bill.
abzocken
to rip off
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Meanings
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Abzocken' (to rip off) is a separable verb. The prefix 'ab-' comes at the end in a main clause. The base verb 'zocken' is colloquial for 'spielen' (to play) or 'wetten' (to bet).
EXAMPLE
Dieser Online-Shop zockt seine Kunden richtig ab.
This online shop really rips off its customers.
Register: colloquial
This word clearly belongs to colloquial language. In formal or written contexts, you should avoid it and use, for example, 'betrügen' (to cheat) or 'überhöhte Preise fordern' (to charge excessive prices) instead.
EXAMPLE
Pass auf, dass du auf dem Touristenmarkt nicht abgezockt wirst.
Be careful that you don't get ripped off at the tourist market.
Use with accusative
The person or institution that is being cheated is always in the accusative. So you rip off 'jemanden' (someone).
EXAMPLE
Er hat mich beim Kartenkauf um 20 Euro abgezockt.
He ripped me off by 20 euros when buying the tickets.
Compare with
abzocken vs ausnehmen
to gut / exclude / rip off
Both verbs are colloquial and can be used for unfair prices or cheating someone out of money. Abzocken focuses more on the unfair method or the excessive price, while ausnehmen emphasizes that the victim loses a great deal of money. The key question is therefore whether the focus is on the process or on the extent of the loss.
abzocken
Mit einem erfundenen Zuschlag zockt der Reiseanbieter den Gast ab.
The travel provider rips off the guest with a made-up surcharge.
ausnehmen
Mit vielen erfundenen Zuschlägen nimmt der Reiseanbieter den Gast völlig aus.
The travel provider completely rips off the guest with numerous made-up surcharges.
In real life
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