01
die Klatsche
thrashing
Colloquial for a clear and heavy defeat, especially in sports.
example
Die Mannschaft hat im Finale eine richtige Klatsche bekommen und 0:5 verloren.
The team took a real thrashing in the final and lost 5-0.
die Klatsche
thrashing / slap / swatter
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Meanings
01 / 04
Usage tips
Word family
All meanings of 'die Klatsche' derive from the verb 'klatschen' (to clap / to smack). This verb imitates a sound, like clapping hands or a blow. This onomatopoeic root connects the ideas of a hit, a defeat, and the tool used for hitting.
EXAMPLE
Das Geräusch des Aufpralls war ein lautes Klatschen.
The sound of the impact was a loud smack.
Register: colloquial
Almost all meanings of this word are strongly colloquial. You should avoid it in formal conversations, emails, or texts.
EXAMPLE
In der Kabine gab es nach der Klatsche eine laute Ansage vom Trainer.
In the locker room, after the thrashing, the coach gave the team a loud talking-to.
Context clues
The meaning becomes clear from the context: In sports, it is about a defeat (m01). In an argument, it is about a slap (m02). With the verb 'haben' (to have), it means 'to be crazy' (m03). In the context of insects, it refers to the fly swatter (m04).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem 0:7 war die Klatsche für den Verein perfekt.
After the 7-0 loss, the thrashing was complete for the club.
Typical collocations
In a sports context, a defeat is often described with the verbs 'bekommen' (to get) or 'kassieren' (to suffer / to take). You can also give someone 'eine Klatsche verpassen' (to hand someone a thrashing).
EXAMPLE
Unsere Mannschaft hat am Sonntag eine ordentliche Klatsche kassiert.
Our team took a proper thrashing on Sunday.
Fixed expression
The meaning 'to be crazy' is used exclusively in the fixed expression 'eine Klatsche haben' (to be nuts). The structure is always: person + conjugated verb 'haben' + 'eine Klatsche'.
EXAMPLE
Du hast wohl eine Klatsche, bei dem Wetter ohne Jacke rauszugehen!
You must be nuts to go out without a jacket in this weather!
Short form
When an object is being referred to, 'die Klatsche' is usually a colloquial short form of 'die Fliegenklatsche' (the fly swatter).
EXAMPLE
Gib mir mal die Klatsche, da sitzt eine Spinne an der Wand.
Pass me the swatter; there's a spider on the wall.
Compare with
Klatsche vs Sieg
victory
'der Sieg' and 'die Klatsche' are opposites when it comes to sports or competitions. A 'Sieg' means that you win. A 'Klatsche' is colloquial for a clear, heavy defeat. The word sounds casual and somewhat harsh, not neutral. In an official report, 'Niederlage' is more appropriate, but among friends or in sports conversations, you often hear 'Klatsche'. The important point is: here this is not about the other meanings of 'Klatsche', but about defeat.
Klatsche
Nach der 0:6-Klatsche gingen die Spieler still in die Kabine.
After the 6-0 thrashing, the players went quietly into the dressing room.
Sieg
Für den Trainer ist der Sieg heute wichtiger als ein schönes Spiel.
For the coach, the victory today is more important than playing a beautiful game.
In real life
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