der Scherz
joke
A statement or action intended to amuse and not meant seriously; a joke.
EXAMPLE
Sein Kommentar war nur ein Scherz, du musst ihn nicht ernst nehmen.
His comment was only a joke; you don't have to take it seriously.
der Scherz
joke
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Meanings
aus Scherz
as a joke
Used as an expression to emphasize that something was not meant seriously, but was only said or done for fun.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat nur aus Scherz behauptet, sie würde kündigen.
She only claimed as a joke that she was going to quit.
ohne Scherz
no joke
Used as an expression to emphasize that a statement is meant absolutely seriously.
EXAMPLE
Ohne Scherz, das war das beste Konzert, auf dem ich je war.
No joke, that was the best concert I've ever been to.
Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'der Scherz' (joke) is closely related to the verb 'scherzen' (to joke) and the adjective 'scherzhaft' (not serious, humorous). All of these words refer to humor and not being serious.
EXAMPLE
Er scherzt gerne mit seinen Kollegen.
He likes to joke with his colleagues.
Typical collocations
The most common action in connection with 'Scherz' (joke) is 'einen Scherz machen' (to make a joke). You can also say 'einen Scherz verstehen' (to understand a joke) or take something 'als Scherz auffassen' (to take something as a joke).
EXAMPLE
Er wollte nur einen Scherz machen, aber niemand hat gelacht.
He only wanted to make a joke, but nobody laughed.
Fixed expression
The fixed expression 'aus Scherz' (as a joke) is used to state the reason for an action. It means 'for fun' or 'not meant seriously'.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe nur aus Scherz gesagt, dass ich umziehe.
I only said as a joke that I was moving.
Fixed expression
The expression 'ohne Scherz' (no joke) is used to emphasize a statement and make clear that it is meant absolutely seriously. It often comes at the beginning of a sentence.
EXAMPLE
Ohne Scherz, ich habe noch nie so etwas Leckeres gegessen.
No joke, I have never eaten anything so delicious.
Compare with
Scherz vs Spaß
fun / joke
Both words can show that something was not meant seriously and was intended as entertainment. Spaß is often used in a general expression such as „nur Spaß“, while a Scherz usually refers to the specific statement or action. So Scherz is usually the better choice for a single remark, while Spaß can also describe the intention.
Scherz
Seine Bemerkung war nur ein Scherz und nicht ernst gemeint.
His remark was just a joke and was not meant seriously.
Spaß
Er sagte das nur aus Spaß und wollte niemanden ärgern.
He only said that as a joke and didn't want to annoy anyone.
In real life
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