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Schadenfreude! Trivia Quiz

This quiz is all about SCHADENFREUDE. How much do you know about this word and subject?

A multiple-choice quiz by froggyx. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
froggyx

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
360,109

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
586

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The word 'Schadenfreude' is borrowed from what language? Hint

German

Dutch

Swedish

Finnish

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Question 2 of 10

2. What does the word 'Schadenfreude' basically mean? Hint

The feeling of happiness for the misery of another person.

Feeling proud for somebody else.

Feeling proud of yourself.

The feeling of sorrow for the misery of another person.

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. There is no true translation of the word 'Schadenfreude' into the English language. However, which of the following options is the closest to its meaning? Hint

celebrating

gloating

mourning

empathising

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Question 4 of 10

4. How is the word 'Schadenfreude' pronounced? Hint

Scart-en-fruity

Shah-den-froy-duh

Sca-dun-froy-duh

Shaa-din-fruity

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Question 5 of 10

5. What kind of word is 'Schadenfreude'? Hint

A pronoun

A verb

A noun

An adjective

6. Now, remember that I want you to enjoy all my quizzes and hope you do really well in them, so I try to write them as clearly as possible.
Imagine, you would finish this quiz with zero correct answers - Would I feel 'Schadenfreude'? Hint

Yes, of course I do, because I genuinely want you to do well!

No, because I did not want you to do well anyway, so I feel indifferent.

All the answers are correct.

No, absolutely not, because I genuinely want you to do well!

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. You see your ex-partner, who treated you ghastly when you broke up, across the road, just as a huge truck drives through a massive puddle and splashes them from head to toe with dirty, cold water. (Due to their behaviour in the past, you feel secretly delighted about it, but would obviously not openly admit this!)
Is this a case of 'Schadenfreude'? Hint

Yes

No, but only because you have the right to feel gleeful, due to the way they treated you in the past.

Absolutely not!

This question is impossible to answer.

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Your best friend has been having really bad luck recently, which has understandably upset you a lot, too. This friend tells you today that they finally got the promotion at work, which they have been hoping for. You are over the moon for your friend.
This is a case of 'Schadenfreude'.

True

False

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Question 9 of 10

9. Author Mike Young had a book published in January 2013 called "_____ Schadenfreude". Which word goes in the blank? Hint

Mr.

Madam

Miss

Mrs.

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Question 10 of 10

10. Please name the musical that features a song called 'Schadenfreude'.

Answer: (1 Word & 1 Letter)

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The word 'Schadenfreude' is borrowed from what language?

Answer: German

Schadenfreude is a word of German origin.
The Norwegian interpretation of the word is 'skadefryd', in the Netherlands they say 'Leedvermaak' and in Sweden it is called 'Skadegl�dje'.

2. What does the word 'Schadenfreude' basically mean?

Answer: The feeling of happiness for the misery of another person.

The correct English definition, according to the "Merriam-Webster Dictionary" is:
"SCHADENFREUDE: enjoyment obtained from the troubles of others".

3. There is no true translation of the word 'Schadenfreude' into the English language. However, which of the following options is the closest to its meaning?

Answer: gloating

Mourning and empathising would be the exact opposite of Schadenfreude, and it also does not mean celebrating.

According to the Wikipedia website, the closest word in the English language is 'gloating':
"An English word of similar meaning is gloating, where gloat means "to observe or think about something with triumphant and often malicious satisfaction, gratification, or delight" (gloat over an enemy's misfortune). Gloating is differentiated from Schadenfreude in that it does not necessarily require malice (one may gloat to a friend about having defeated him in a game without ill intent) and that it describes an action rather than a state of mind (one typically gloats to the subject of the misfortune or to a third party)."

4. How is the word 'Schadenfreude' pronounced?

Answer: Shah-den-froy-duh

It is pronounced:
"Shah", as in the title a king of Iran
"Den", as in a shelter for an animal
"Froy", is not an actual word, but rhymes with 'Troy'
"Duh", as in a comment meaning "silly question"

5. What kind of word is 'Schadenfreude'?

Answer: A noun

As it is a noun, and the word has been acquired from the German language, it is generally written with a capital 'S', because in the German language all nouns start with a capital letter.

6. Now, remember that I want you to enjoy all my quizzes and hope you do really well in them, so I try to write them as clearly as possible. Imagine, you would finish this quiz with zero correct answers - Would I feel 'Schadenfreude'?

Answer: No, absolutely not, because I genuinely want you to do well!

The answer is no, of course. As assuredly mentioned in the question, I really hope you like my quizzes and find them easy to understand. So, I certainly would not feel Schadenfreude if you did not do well.

Answer: Yes

Even if you would feel that you had the right to feel happy (due to their previous behaviour) about this scenario, it would still be Schadenfreude. The reason for this is that you feel joy for their mishap, which is Schadenfreude.

Answer: false

Because you feel truly happy for your friend's good luck, this scenario is not a case of Schadenfreude.

9. Author Mike Young had a book published in January 2013 called "_____ Schadenfreude". Which word goes in the blank?

Answer: Mrs.

'Mrs. Schadenfreude' is a short book, which tells of Lydia "Schadenfreude" Kincaid, who is thrilled about her friend, Elaine Waverly's hardship, because Elaine's life used to be so ideal and enviable. Lydia is not only delighted by Elaine's recent bad luck, but then goes on to tell everybody about it, which makes her feel even more pleased, as she enjoys to take the centre stage.

10. Please name the musical that features a song called 'Schadenfreude'.

Answer: Avenue Q

Avenue Q features three human and 11 puppet characters.
This musical received Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Book and Best Original Source; furthermore it was honoured with the Theatre World Award.
The song 'Schadenfreude' appears in Act 2 and is sung by the characters Gary (real-life actor Gary Coleman) and Nicky (an 'Anything Muppet' character similar to Ernie from 'Sesame Street').

Source: Author froggyx

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor LadyCaitriona before going online.
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