der Joke
joke
A joke or joking remark that is not meant seriously. The word is a loanword from English and is used mainly colloquially.
EXAMPLE
Das war doch nur ein Joke, nimm es nicht persönlich.
That was just a joke, don't take it personally.
der Joke
joke
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Meanings
Usage tips
English origin
The word 'Joke' (joke) was borrowed directly from English and is pronounced similarly. In German, it is used as a masculine noun with the article 'der'.
EXAMPLE
Er hat einen guten Joke erzählt und alle haben gelacht.
He told a good joke, and everyone laughed.
Colloquial style
'Joke' (joke) is used almost exclusively in informal colloquial speech, especially among younger people. In formal or written contexts, the word is rather uncommon.
EXAMPLE
Keine Sorge, das war nur ein Joke von mir.
Don't worry, that was just a joke from me.
Typical collocations
Common expressions are 'einen Joke machen' (to make a joke) or 'einen Joke reißen' (to crack a joke). It is also often used as an explanation to signal that something was not meant seriously.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du mal aufhören, ständig schlechte Jokes zu machen?
Can you stop constantly making bad jokes?
Compare with
Joke vs Spaß
fun / joke
Both words can describe a remark that is not meant seriously. Spaß is often used in the expression „nur Spaß“ and refers more to the casual intention, while Joke names the specific joke or joking remark. Spaß is more usual in a neutral formulation; Joke remains colloquial.
Joke
Seine Bemerkung war nur ein Joke und nicht ernst gemeint.
His remark was just a joke and was not meant seriously.
Spaß
Er sagte das nur aus Spaß und meinte es nicht ernst.
He only said that as a joke and didn't mean it seriously.
In real life
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