grimace / grotesque face
Loading your saved state.
grimace
A distorted, ugly, or grotesque face or a corresponding facial expression. The word is often used disparagingly or to describe masks.
Der Clown zog eine lustige Fratze, um die Kinder zum Lachen zu bringen.
The clown pulled a funny grimace to make the children laugh.
'Fratze' (grimace/grotesque face) is a very expressive word and almost always has a negative connotation. It does not simply describe a face, but an ugly, distorted, or evil-looking face.
Die alte Hexe hatte eine furchterregende Fratze.
The old witch had a frightening grotesque face.
To describe an intentionally funny or ugly facial expression, you use the fixed expression 'eine Fratze schneiden' or 'eine Fratze ziehen' (to pull a face / make a grimace).
Hinter dem Rücken des Lehrers schnitt der Schüler eine Fratze.
Behind the teacher's back, the student pulled a grimace.
In the figurative sense, the phrase 'die hässliche Fratze von etwas zeigen' (to show the ugly face of something) is often used. It refers to the true, terrible nature of an abstract thing such as hatred, war, or greed.
In der Krise zeigte der Egoismus seine hässliche Fratze.
During the crisis, selfishness showed its ugly face.
face
'das Gesicht' and 'die Fratze' can both refer to the front part of the head or to a facial expression. 'das Gesicht' is the normal, neutral word. You use it for the eyes, nose, and mouth, or for an expression. 'die Fratze', by contrast, sounds strongly negative or describes something distorted, ugly, or grotesque, for example on a mask or in a very ugly expression. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with the face. But 'Fratze' is not a neutral word for a normal face and can sound insulting.
Die Maske an der Wand zeigte eine böse Fratze mit großen Zähnen.
The mask on the wall showed an evil grimace with large teeth.
Nach dem langen Tag war ihr Gesicht müde, aber freundlich.
After the long day, her face was tired but friendly.