pardauz

German

Etymology

From Low German pardu(t)z, from Middle Low German pardûs, ultimately onomatopoeic. Compare Dutch pardoes. The form with -au- occurs first in Campe’s writings and might be a mechanical adaptation to the Standard German vocalism.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /paʁˈdaʊ̯ts/, [paʁˈdaʊ̯t͡s], [pa(ɐ̯)-]

• Audio:

  (file)

Interjection

pardauz

1. Said when something falls down.

   Synonyms: paff, bums

   Pardauz! Naja, macht nichts. Ist ja alles Plastik.

   Bang! Oh well, no problem. It's all just plastic.

2. (archaic) Said in surprise or confusion

   Synonyms: huch, hoppla, nanu

   • 1924, Thomas Mann, Der Zauberberg [The Magic Mountain], volume 1, Berlin: S. Fischer, page 228:

     „Pardauz!“ sagte das alte Mädchen. „Das ist sie. Man braucht nicht aufzusehen, um sich zu überzeugen, wer da hereingekommen ist.

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)

Further reading

• “pardauz” in Duden online
• “pardauz” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache