rip-off / bullshit
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rip-off / bullshit
(Colloquial, vulgar) An action in which someone is deliberately deceived, tricked, or unfairly made a fool of. The term often expresses anger about a perceived injustice or fraud.
Das Sonderangebot war die reinste Verarsche, denn das Produkt war vorher sogar billiger.
That special offer was a total rip-off, because the product had actually been cheaper before.
The word is derived from the very colloquial verb 'verarschen' (to screw with someone / to take someone for a ride). It contains the word 'Arsch' (ass), which explains its vulgar and derogatory nature. The prefix 'ver-' here suggests that something negative is being done to someone.
Dass ich für den Service extra zahlen muss, ist doch eine Verarsche!
Having to pay extra for the service is such a rip-off!
'Verarsche' (rip-off / bullshit) is a very informal and vulgar word. Use it only in spoken language among friends and never in formal, professional, or polite situations.
Er hat sich über die ganze Verarsche furchtbar aufgeregt.
He got terribly worked up about the whole rip-off.
This word is often used with adjectives that intensify it. Typical expressions are 'die reinste Verarsche' (a total rip-off), 'eine totale Verarsche' (a complete rip-off), or 'eine absolute Verarsche' (an absolute rip-off).
Die versprochene Gehaltserhöhung war eine totale Verarsche.
The promised pay raise was a complete rip-off.
fraud / cheating
Betrug and Verarsche can both refer to deliberate deception or an unfair trick. Betrug is the neutral, sometimes legal term for deliberate deception intended to obtain an unlawful advantage. Verarsche is crude and emotional and usually conveys the affected person’s anger.
Die Kunden nannten es eine Verarsche, weil die Firma für eine nicht gelieferte Ware Geld verlangt hatte.
The customers called it a rip-off because the company had charged them for goods that were never delivered.
Die Kunden meldeten den Betrug, weil die Firma für eine nicht gelieferte Ware Geld verlangt hatte.
The customers reported the fraud because the company had charged them for goods that were never delivered.
