joker
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joker
A special playing card in many card games that can often replace any other card or has a special function.
Mit dem Joker in der Hand konnte er die fehlende Karte ersetzen und gewinnen.
With the joker in his hand, he was able to replace the missing card and win.
'Der Joker' is a loanword from English. In German, it is used with very similar meanings to English, both for the playing card and for a person.
In vielen internationalen Kartenspielen gibt es einen Joker.
In many international card games, there is a joker.
In the context of card games, 'Joker' (joker) is often used with verbs such as 'ziehen' (to draw), 'spielen' (to play), 'einsetzen' (to use), or 'auf der Hand haben' (to have in one's hand).
Wenn du den Joker ziehst, kannst du jede beliebige Karte ersetzen.
If you draw the joker, you can replace any card you want.
In the figurative sense, 'der Joker' (the wild card) describes a person or factor that unexpectedly leads to success. This meaning is often used in sports or business.
Der neue Stürmer war der Joker und schoss in letzter Minute das Siegtor.
The new striker was the wild card and scored the winning goal in the last minute.
When 'Joker' (joker) describes a person who likes making jokes, it refers to their character within a social group. Typical formulations are 'der Joker der Familie sein' (to be the joker of the family) or 'der Joker vom Dienst sein' (to be the resident joker).
Mein Onkel ist der Joker der Familie und bringt uns immer zum Lachen.
My uncle is the joker of the family and always makes us laugh.
ace
'das Ass' and 'der Joker' can both come from the world of cards, and both can also be used figuratively for people or advantages. Still, they do not mean the same thing. 'das Ass' is a specific strong card, or figuratively a person who is especially good at something. 'der Joker' is a special card with a special function, or figuratively an unexpected advantage that can change a situation. They can be confused because both can be important in games. Remember: an ace is more about strength or skill, while a joker is more about a special possibility or surprise.
Im letzten Moment spielte Paul den Joker und durfte eine neue Karte ziehen.
At the last moment, Paul played the joker and was allowed to draw a new card.
Beim Kartenspiel legte Anna das Ass auf den Tisch und gewann die Runde.
During the card game, Anna put the ace on the table and won the round.