die Ohrfeige
slap
A blow with the flat hand to a person's cheek or ear.
EXAMPLE
Nach der beleidigenden Bemerkung gab sie ihm eine schallende Ohrfeige.
After the insulting remark, she gave him a resounding slap.
die Ohrfeige
slap
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Meanings
die Ohrfeige
slap in the face
In a figurative sense, a clear rejection, a defeat, or an insult.
EXAMPLE
Die Ablehnung seines Antrags war eine schmerzhafte Ohrfeige für den jungen Wissenschaftler.
The rejection of his application was a painful slap in the face for the young scientist.
Usage tips
Compound word
The word is made up of 'Ohr' (ear) and 'Feige'. 'Feige' comes from an old word for 'to stroke' or 'to hit'. An 'Ohrfeige' is therefore literally a 'blow to the ear'.
EXAMPLE
Er hat für seine freche Antwort eine Ohrfeige bekommen.
He got a slap for his cheeky answer.
Typical collocations
In the literal sense, an 'Ohrfeige' (slap) is usually 'gegeben' (given) or 'bekommen' (received). It is often described with adjectives like 'schallend' (resounding) or 'saftig' (hefty) to emphasize its force.
EXAMPLE
Der Vater gab seinem Sohn eine laute Ohrfeige.
The father gave his son a loud slap.
Figurative meaning
In the figurative sense, 'Ohrfeige' (slap in the face) describes an insult or defeat. People then often speak of a 'politische Ohrfeige' (political slap in the face) or experience an event 'als Ohrfeige' (as a slap in the face).
EXAMPLE
Das Wahlergebnis war eine schmerzhafte Ohrfeige für die Regierungspartei.
The election result was a painful slap in the face for the governing party.
Compare with
Ohrfeige vs Klatsche
thrashing / slap / swatter
Klatsche and Ohrfeige can both refer to a slap with the flat of the hand to the face. Ohrfeige is the usual neutral term, while Klatsche is much more colloquial and often sounds harsher or rougher. Ohrfeige is suitable in factual language, while Klatsche can be used in casual conversation.
Ohrfeige
Im Streit gab er seinem Bruder eine heftige Ohrfeige.
During the argument, he gave his brother a fierce slap.
Klatsche
Im Streit gab er seinem Bruder eine heftige Klatsche.
During the argument, he gave his brother a fierce slap.
In real life
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