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LEARNING GERMAN

German Word of the Day: Schwarzfahren

The next time you hop on a tram without buying a ticket, you could be found guilty of fare-dodging, or 'riding black'.

Published: 26 October 2018 10:09 CEST
Updated: 29 October 2018 09:18 CET

German Word of the Day: Schwarzfahren

Photo: Depositphotos

Schwarzfahren is a compound noun literally meaning 'black-riding', but translates as 'fare dodging'. You can get accused of Schwarzfahren either if you use public transport without a valid ticket or drive a car without a valid driver's license.

In Germany, unlike most other European countries, public transport does not have barriers or turnstiles so it is easy to get on the U-Bahn without a ticket. However, if you decide to fare dodge, you run the risk of being caught by ticket inspectors, and the fines are hefty.

Always remember to validate your ticket before you get on a train or tram, because fines for first-time offenders in Germany are normally around €60.

Berlin U-Bahn, U5 line. Photo: DPA

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German word of the day: Witzfigur

Witz, the German word for “joke”, is one of the first words a lot of foreigners come to learn when they start learning German. But it may be a little longer until you encounter what’s known as a Witzfigur.

Combine the word der Witz (joke) with the word die Figur (figure or character) and you get die Witzfigur (wits·fii·guur) – someone who may well be (unintentionally) funny, but is more likely to be the butt of somebody else’s joke.

Think of it a little bit like the English expression “figure of fun”, or – more commonly used – a laughing stock.

A Witzfigur may pop up in jokes, stories and songs as a clownish sidekick who offers some light relief.

In some cases, these Witzfiguren are there to act as the wise fool and reveal some deeper insight into what’s going on. In many cases, though, they’re just there to get a cream pie chucked in their face.

It’s worth remembering that not every character in a joke is the butt of it – that is to say, not every Witzfigur is a Witzfigur.

In German, there’s a tradition of jokes involving Klein Fritzchen (little Fritz) – a fictional boy who pops up time and time again in various comedic scenarios, usually in order to say something insulting to someone.

READ ALSO: German words you need to know: Der Zappelphilipp

Little Fritz is not so much a figure of fun as a literal Witzfigur: a character in a joke. And in fact, his role in the jokes often involve delivering the punchline that makes someone else the laughing stock.

That said, if you hear someone described as a Witzfigur in real life, it usually doesn’t mean anything good.

In fact, it often means they’ve done something pretty peinlich (embarrassing) or deserving of public mockery. And yes, it can often be applied to politicians.

By way of example, the term was recently used by Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) to describe Gerhard Schröder, the former chancellor of Germany who has recently been stripped of many of his perks for insisting on taking Kremlin-linked jobs.

When asked about Schröder, Lauterbach said: “He has succeeded in being a former chancellor (who is) now on the verge of being a laughing stock.”

So, by all means, make a “Witz” or two, and definitely don’t be afraid of doing anything “witzig” (witty or funny), but if you ever find yourself on the verge of become a Witzfigur, it could be time for a change of course.

Examples

Er ist nur eine Witzfigur. Vergiss ihn.

He’s just a joke. Forget about him.

Ich habe angst davor, eine Witzfigur zu werden.

I’m afraid of becoming a laughing stock.

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