cheeky / impertinent
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impertinent
Behaving disrespectfully, insolently, or cheekily toward others, especially authority figures. This is usually viewed negatively.
Das Kind gab eine freche Antwort und wurde dafür ermahnt.
The child gave an impertinent answer and was reprimanded for it.
The meaning of 'frech' (cheeky / impertinent) depends heavily on the context. A 'freche Antwort' (impertinent answer) to a teacher is negative (disrespectful), but a 'freches Lächeln' (cheeky smile) is often meant positively (charming, playful).
Sei nicht so frech zu deiner Großmutter!
Don't be so impertinent to your grandmother!
When 'frech' (impertinent) means disrespectful, it is often used with the preposition 'zu' plus the dative to name the person toward whom someone is behaving disrespectfully.
Der Schüler war frech zum Direktor und musste nachsitzen.
The student was impertinent to the principal and had to stay for detention.
In the positive, charming meaning, 'frech' (cheeky) is often combined with nouns such as 'Lächeln' (smile), 'Grinsen' (grin), or 'Spruch' (remark/joke).
Mit einem frechen Spruch brachte er alle zum Lachen.
With a cheeky remark, he made everyone laugh.
When 'frech' (bold/edgy) refers to objects such as clothing, hairstyles, or colors, it means 'auffällig' (eye-catching), 'mutig' (bold), or 'unkonventionell' (unconventional). In this context, it is never meant negatively.
Sie trägt ein T-Shirt in einer frechen Farbe.
She is wearing a T-shirt in a bold color.
fresh
'frisch' and 'frech' can both describe behavior where someone is too direct, cheeky, or disrespectful. In this meaning, 'frisch' is colloquial and often appears in sentences like 'Werd nicht so frisch!' (Don't get so cheeky!). 'frech' is the normal and more common word for this. It can be meant negatively, but it can also sound playful or charming. Learners can confuse the words because 'frisch' usually has completely different meanings, for example with food or air. For disrespectful behavior, 'frech' is usually clearer and more natural.
Die Antwort war frech, aber alle mussten darüber lachen.
The answer was cheeky, but everyone had to laugh about it.
Der Junge wurde am Telefon ziemlich frisch zu seiner Mutter.
The boy got pretty cheeky with his mother on the phone.