witzig
funny
To perceive someone or something as amusing, funny, or likely to make people laugh.
EXAMPLE
Er hat einen wirklich witzigen Film empfohlen.
He recommended a really funny film.
witzig
funny
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
witzig
funny / odd
To describe a person or thing as strange, peculiar, or odd. This meaning often has a slightly ironic or surprised undertone.
EXAMPLE
Das ist aber eine witzige Art, seine Schuhe zu binden.
That's a funny way to tie your shoes.
Usage tips
Word family
The adjective 'witzig' (funny) is derived directly from the noun 'der Witz' (joke). If you know the word 'Witz' (joke), you can easily work out the meaning 'lustig' (funny).
EXAMPLE
Er erzählt gerne Witze und ist allgemein ein sehr witziger Mensch.
He likes telling jokes and is generally a very funny person.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'lustig' (funny), 'witzig' is often used to describe people, stories, ideas, or films. A common phrase is also 'jemanden oder etwas witzig finden' (to find someone or something funny).
EXAMPLE
Ich fand ihre Bemerkung überhaupt nicht witzig.
I didn't find her comment funny at all.
Context clue
You can often recognize the meaning 'seltsam' (strange) or 'merkwürdig' (odd) from the context or tone of voice. If something is unexpected or curious, but not necessarily laugh-out-loud funny, 'witzig' is used ironically.
EXAMPLE
Er hat sein Auto pink lackiert. Das ist eine witzige Idee.
He painted his car pink. That's a funny idea.
Fixed expression
The exclamation 'Das ist ja witzig!' usually does not mean that something is funny, but expresses surprise about a strange coincidence or unexpected information.
EXAMPLE
Du triffst Peter auch hier? Das ist ja witzig!
You're meeting Peter here too? What a funny coincidence!
Compare with
witzig vs lustig
funny
Lustig and witzig can both describe something that makes people laugh. Lustig can additionally describe an enjoyable and entertaining course of events, while witzig here specifically refers to the amusing effect of a person, remark, or thing.
witzig
Seine Bemerkung an diesem Abend war witzig, und alle lachten.
His remark that evening was funny, and everyone laughed.
lustig
Es war ein lustiger Abend, an dem wir viel gelacht haben.
It was a fun evening, and we laughed a lot.
In real life
Loading video examples...