well-behaved
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well-behaved
To behave in the way that is expected of you; to be obedient and well-mannered. Often used for children and animals.
Seid schön brav, während die Babysitterin da ist!
Be nice and well-behaved while the babysitter is here!
Careful, 'brav' does not mean 'brave'! It means 'well-behaved' or 'gehorsam' (obedient). The English word 'brave' is translated as 'mutig' (brave/courageous).
Der Hund ist ganz brav und bellt nie.
The dog is very well-behaved and never barks.
This word is very often used for children and pets. A typical instruction to a child is the imperative 'Sei brav!' (Be good!).
Wenn du beim Arzt brav bist, bekommst du danach ein Eis.
If you're well-behaved at the doctor's, you'll get an ice cream afterward.
When adults are described as 'brav' (dutiful/well-behaved), it can have a slightly negative connotation. It can mean that someone is hard-working and correct, but also somewhat conformist, uncreative, or boring.
Er macht immer nur brav, was der Chef sagt, und hat nie eigene Ideen.
He always just dutifully does what the boss says and never has ideas of his own.
nice / dear
'lieb' and 'brav' can both describe the behavior of children or animals in a positive way. 'brav' mainly means that someone obeys, is calm, and behaves the way adults expect. 'lieb' sounds warmer and more often means that a child or animal is nice, gentle, or good to others. Learners may confuse the words because both are often said to children. The difference is: a 'braves Kind' (well-behaved child) does what it is supposed to do; a 'liebes Kind' (kind child) is friendly and good to others.
Am Wochenende war der Hund brav und blieb ruhig im Wohnzimmer.
At the weekend, the dog was well-behaved and stayed calm in the living room.
Nach dem Gespräch war sie sehr lieb zu ihrer kleinen Schwester.
After the conversation, she was very kind to her little sister.