1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites

Spassvogel

Learn a funny, quirky German word each week with DW's Word of the Week feature. This week: Spassvogel.

https://p.dw.com/p/Rllo
Image: picture-alliance/dpa

A "Spassvogel" (literally, "fun bird") is that person who's always trying to get a laugh - and often does so, even unwittingly. But then, the Spassvogel will happily offer himself up as the butt of a joke if it means getting a little attention and seeing others crack a smile. Similar to a "Witzbold" (see last week's Word of the Week), the Spassvogel is a comic character that no one takes seriously. This bird, however, may have fun, lively coloring - but it's doubtful that he has gotten a smile out of that fish in his mouth.

Skip next section Explore more

Explore more