Spuk

See also: spuk

German

Etymology

17th century, from Middle Low German spōk, from Old Saxon *spōk, from Proto-Germanic *spōk. Cognate with Dutch spook, whence English spook.

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ʃpuːk/
  • Audio(file)

Noun

Spuk m (strong, genitive Spukes or Spuks, plural Spuke)

  1. (usually uncountable) collective word for apparitions or actions of ghosts, haunting, supernatural (usually frightening) occurrences
    Wenn es kein Spuk war, muss es eine natürliche Erklärung geben.
    If it wasn't ghosts, there must be a natural explanation for it.
  2. (uncountable, informal) any set of unusual occurrences, often stressful, but not necessarily negative
    Der ganze Spuk mit der Hochzeit hat bisher eigentlich ganz gut geklappt.
    All those dealings with the wedding have actually worked out pretty well up until now.
    Mein Sohn hatte gestern einen Freund zur Übernachtung da und die beiden haben ganz schön Spuk gemacht.
    My son had a friend staying over last night and the two were a bit boisterous.
  3. (countable, obsolete) a ghost, spectre
    Synonyms: Gespenst, Geist

Declension
Declension of Spuk [masculine, strong]
singular plural
indef. def. noun def. noun
nominative ein der Spuk die Spuke
genitive eines des Spukes, Spuks der Spuke
dative einem dem Spuk, Spuke1 den Spuken
accusative einen den Spuk die Spuke

1Now rare, see notes.

Derived terms

Further reading
  • “Spuk” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache
  • “Spuk” in Uni Leipzig: Wortschatz-Lexikon
  • “Spuk” in Duden online
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