grimace / grotesque face
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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.
ugly face
In a figurative sense, the ugly, terrible, or inhuman nature of something.
Hinter der freundlichen Fassade zeigte der Neid seine hässliche Fratze.
Behind the friendly facade, envy showed its ugly face.
'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.
