01
das Angesicht
countenance / face
An elevated, old-fashioned, or poetic term for a person's face.
example
Der Schweiß stand ihm auf dem Angesicht geschrieben.
The sweat was written all over his countenance.
das Angesicht
countenance / face
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 03
Usage tips
Frequency in expressions
The word 'Angesicht' (countenance/face) by itself is rare today and sounds very formal or poetic. It is most often encountered in the fixed expressions 'von Angesicht zu Angesicht' (face to face) and 'im Angesicht von' (in the face of).
EXAMPLE
Wir sollten dieses heikle Thema von Angesicht zu Angesicht besprechen.
We should discuss this delicate topic face to face.
Elevated style
When 'Angesicht' (countenance/face) is used by itself to mean 'Gesicht' (face), it belongs to an elevated, literary, or religious style. It is not used in normal everyday speech.
EXAMPLE
Im fahlen Licht wirkte sein Angesicht noch blasser.
In the pale light, his countenance looked even paler.
Fixed expression
The expression 'von Angesicht zu Angesicht' (face to face) always means 'personally' or 'directly opposite each other'. It is used as an adverbial phrase in the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Nach Jahren des Schreibens trafen sich die beiden Brieffreunde endlich von Angesicht zu Angesicht.
After years of writing, the two pen pals finally met face to face.
Prepositional phrase
The expression 'im Angesicht von' (in the face of), or with the genitive: 'im Angesicht der Gefahr' (in the face of danger), functions like a preposition with the meaning 'in view of' or 'confronted with'. It often introduces a difficult situation.
EXAMPLE
Im Angesicht des drohenden Unwetters suchten die Wanderer Schutz in einer Hütte.
In the face of the approaching storm, the hikers sought shelter in a hut.
Compare with
Angesicht vs Gesicht
face
'das Gesicht' and 'das Angesicht' can both mean the front part of the head. 'Gesicht' is the normal everyday word. You use it at the doctor's, when describing a person, or when talking about feelings shown on someone's face. 'Angesicht' sounds elevated, old-fashioned, or poetic and is rarely used by itself in normal conversation. You often encounter it in fixed expressions like 'von Angesicht zu Angesicht' (face to face). Learners may confuse the words because they look very similar and mean almost the same thing. In most everyday situations, 'Gesicht' is more natural; 'Angesicht' fits better in solemn texts or fixed expressions.
Angesicht
Nach vielen E-Mails standen sich die beiden endlich von Angesicht zu Angesicht gegenüber.
After many emails, the two of them finally stood face to face.
Gesicht
Nach der langen Reise war ihr Gesicht müde und blass.
After the long journey, her face was tired and pale.
In real life
Loading video examples...