ritzen

Ritzen is a German verb meaning to scratch, engrave, or score a surface by making shallow cuts or grooves with a sharp tool. It is used in contexts ranging from woodworking and metalworking to preparing surfaces for subsequent work, such as scoring lines to guide cutting or breaking. In its reflexive form, sich ritzen, it is also associated with self-harm, a sensitive topic.

The related noun die Ritze refers to a crack, fissure, or slit in a material or structure, and the plural Ritzen denotes multiple cracks. In everyday German, phrases describing visible marks or openings might use this noun.

Etymology: The verb ritzen is a native Germanic word with attested forms in Middle High German. It belongs to a semantic field concerned with making marks or grooves and is linked to older Germanic roots associated with scratching or scoring.

Usage and notes: In non-technical contexts, ritzen can be used metaphorically to describe making marks or distinctions, such as in design or art contexts. Ritzen can also occur as a surname in German-speaking regions, and the word appears in related language contexts such as place names and brand names.

See also: scoring, engraving, crack, fissure.