scherzen
joke
Etwas Lustiges sagen oder tun, um andere zum Lachen zu bringen.
Definition & meaning
The verb scherzen means to joke, to jest, or to tease. It describes the act of saying something for amusement, without a serious intent, or playfully mocking someone or something.
- To tell jokes or make lighthearted remarks: Engaging in humor or light conversation.
- To tease or play: Acting in a playful manner towards someone else, often through harmless provocation.
Grammar & Word origin
scherzen is a weak verb. Its conjugation is as follows:
- Present: ich scherze, du scherzt, er/sie/es scherzt.
- Past (Präteritum): ich scherzte.
- Perfect: ich habe gescherzt.
It is derived from the Middle High German noun scherz, which originally referred to a leap or a caper (a playful movement). Over time, the meaning shifted from a physical movement to a verbal or mental "playfulness."
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Make “scherzen” part of your vocabulary.
Build your German vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.
Examples
Wir dürfen beim Meeting nicht scherzen.verb
We are not allowed to joke during the meeting.
Man scherzt oft in der Pause.verb
One often jokes during the break.
Man scherzt oft über lustige Erlebnisse.verb
One often jokes about funny experiences.
Scherzt ihr manchmal über eure Fehler?verb
Do you sometimes joke about your mistakes?
Keep exploring German
Learn words from the content you love.
Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).
Scan for iPhone & iPad