punch line
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punch line
The surprising, often funny final effect of a joke, anecdote, or story that gives the whole thing its point.
Alle lachten, als er endlich die Pointe des langen Witzes erzählte.
Everyone laughed when he finally told the punch line of the long joke.
The word 'Pointe' comes from French and means 'tip' or 'point'. This explains its special pronunciation, which differs from the German spelling.
Der Witz war gut, aber ich habe die Pointe nicht sofort verstanden.
The joke was good, but I didn't understand the punch line right away.
Common verbs with 'Pointe' (punch line) are 'eine Pointe erzählen' (to tell a punch line), 'eine Pointe verstehen' (to understand a punch line), or 'eine Pointe verderben' (to spoil a punch line), when you reveal the ending too early.
Erzähl den Witz nicht weiter, sonst verdirbst du die Pointe!
Don't tell the joke to anyone else, or you'll spoil the punch line!
The punch line is often mentioned at the end of a story. You can also introduce it with a subordinate clause, for example: 'Die Pointe der Geschichte ist, dass ...' (The punch line of the story is that ...).
Die Pointe des Films war, dass der Held die ganze Zeit nur geträumt hatte.
The punch line of the film was that the hero had only been dreaming the whole time.
joke
Witz refers to the entire humorous story. The Pointe is only its surprising and often comic concluding effect, which gives the Witz its meaning. So you can follow a Witz from the beginning, but only hear its Pointe at the end.
Paul betont die Pointe des Witzes im letzten Satz.
Paul emphasizes the punchline of the joke in the last sentence.
Paul erzählt den Witz langsam von Anfang bis Ende.
Paul tells the joke slowly from beginning to end.
