diebisch
thievish
Acting or appearing like a thief; secretive, furtive, and intent on stealing.
EXAMPLE
Der diebische Junge steckte den Apfel unbemerkt in seine Tasche.
The thievish boy slipped the apple into his pocket without anyone noticing.
diebisch
thievish / mischievous
diebisch – diebischer – am diebischsten
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Meanings
diebische Freude
mischievous delight
Secretly and slyly pleased; especially in the expression „diebische Freude“ (mischievous delight): great pleasure, often schadenfreude, for example at a successful prank or someone else’s misfortune.
EXAMPLE
Sie empfand eine diebische Freude, als ihr Konkurrent den Wettbewerb verlor.
She felt a mischievous delight when her competitor lost the competition.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry diebisch, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | diebisch |
|---|---|
| comparative | diebischer |
| superlative | am diebischsten |
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to diebisch.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to diebisch.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to diebisch.
Usage tips
Word formation
„Diebisch“ consists of the root word „Dieb“ (thief) and the ending „-isch“. The ending turns it into an adjective and shows a connection to a thief or their behavior.
EXAMPLE
Sein diebisches Grinsen verriet, dass er etwas vorhatte.
His mischievous grin revealed that he was up to something.
Fixed expression
„Diebisch“ most commonly occurs in the expression „diebische Freude“ (mischievous delight). Typical verbs used with it are „empfinden“ (to feel), „verspüren“ (to experience), and „haben“ (to have).
EXAMPLE
Er konnte seine diebische Freude über den Fehler des anderen kaum verbergen.
He could hardly hide his mischievous delight at the other person’s mistake.
Context clue
When „diebisch“ is used with words such as „Freude“ (delight) or „Vergnügen“ (pleasure), it refers to an emotional reaction. When it describes people, looks, or a grin, it refers more to secretive, sly behavior.
EXAMPLE
Der diebische Blick des Kindes fiel der Mutter sofort auf.
The child’s mischievous look immediately caught the mother’s attention.
Nach dem kleinen Missgeschick zeigte er eine diebische Freude.
After the minor mishap, he showed a mischievous delight.
In real life
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