ratschen

German

Etymology 1

If the use of clothes is older than that of skin, perhaps identical with etymology 2, from the sound of fabric being torn in two.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ʁatʃən/

Verb

1. (informal, often reflexive) to snag; to cut accidentally on something pointed or sharp, especially one's skin or clothes

Derived terms

• aufratschen
• Ratsche, Ratsch, Ratscher

Etymology 2

From Middle High German ratzen, retschen (“to make noise, to chatter”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ʁaːtʃən/

Verb

1. to make noise with a ratchet
2. (colloquial, Southern Germany, Austria) to chat

   Synonyms: quatschen, schwätzen

   • 2018 December 20, anonymous author, “Horror-Date: Der alternde Skater”, in jetzt‎^[1]:

     Im Park angekommen, war ich mir eigentlich recht sicher, dass ich wusste, was zu tun ist. Wir rollten eine Weile herum, ratschten und hatten an und für sich keine schlechte Zeit.

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)

Derived terms

• Ratsche, Rätsche