noun

der Witz, -e

joke

Eine kurze, lustige Aussage oder Geschichte, die Menschen zum Lachen bringt.

Definition & meaning

The German word Witz primarily refers to a joke or a humorous story told to elicit laughter.

In a broader or more philosophical context, Witz can also describe wit, cleverness, or sharpness of mind—the ability to think quickly and produce clever or amusing remarks.

Additionally, in common colloquial speech, the phrase "ein schlechter Witz" (a bad joke) is often used to describe a situation that is ridiculous, unfair, or inadequate (e.g., "This small salary is a bad joke").

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar: It is a masculine noun (der Witz). The plural form is "Witze".
Word origin: The word stems from the Old High German "wizzi," meaning "knowledge," "understanding," or "intellect." It shares the same linguistic root as the German verb "wissen" (to know). Over time, the meaning shifted from general intelligence to the specific form of clever, humorous expression that we recognize today.