to scoff at
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to scoff at
To smile at someone or something in a slightly mocking or superior way because one does not take it seriously or considers it naive.
Seine Kollegen belächelten seinen Vorschlag, da sie ihn für unrealistisch hielten.
His colleagues scoffed at his proposal because they considered it unrealistic.
'Belächeln' is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'be-' remains firmly attached to the verb stem 'lächeln' (to smile) in all conjugated forms and sentence positions.
Er belächelte ihre naiven Vorstellungen von der Arbeitswelt.
He scoffed at her naive ideas about the working world.
The prefix 'be-' makes the verb transitive. You always 'belächelt' (scoff at) 'jemanden' (someone) or 'etwas' (something). The object is directly in the accusative, without a preposition such as 'über' (about/at).
Die erfahrenen Sportler belächelten den Ehrgeiz des Anfängers.
The experienced athletes scoffed at the beginner's ambition.
This verb does not describe a positive or friendly smile. It always expresses a certain superiority, mockery, or condescension. The person or thing is not being taken seriously.
Anstatt seinen Plan zu diskutieren, belächelten sie ihn nur.
Instead of discussing his plan, they only scoffed at him.
to laugh at
Both words express mockery of a person or thing. Auslachen refers to open, often hurtful laughter. Belächeln is quieter and conveys a sense of superiority: you consider something naive or do not take it seriously.
Die anderen belächelten Paul wegen seiner naiven Idee nur überlegen.
The others merely scoffed at Paul and his naive idea with a superior air.
Die anderen lachten Paul wegen seiner naiven Idee offen aus.
The others openly laughed at Paul because of his naive idea.
