grimace
die Grimasse, die Grimassen
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grimace
A usually distorted facial expression that someone uses to show pain, disgust, mockery, amusement, or similar feelings.
Er zog eine Grimasse, als er die bittere Medizin probierte.
He pulled a grimace when he tasted the bitter medicine.
to make a face
To deliberately contort one's face in a conspicuous or ridiculous way.
Das Kind schnitt eine Grimasse, als es fotografiert wurde.
The child made a face when their picture was taken.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Grimassen |
| genitive | der Grimasse |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Grimasse | die Grimassen |
| accusative | die Grimasse | die Grimassen |
| dative | der Grimasse | den Grimassen |
| genitive | der Grimasse | der Grimassen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Pay attention to the context: A grimace can arise as an immediate reaction, while the action is often further specified by words such as „absichtlich“ (deliberately), „zum Spaß“ (for fun), or „für ein Foto“ (for a photo).
Als sie in die Zitrone biss, zog sie unwillkürlich eine Grimasse.
When she bit into the lemon, she pulled a grimace involuntarily.
Für das Foto machte der Junge absichtlich eine Grimasse.
The boy deliberately made a face for the photo.
Common collocations include „eine Grimasse ziehen“ (to pull a grimace), „eine Grimasse machen“ (to make a grimace), and „das Gesicht zu einer Grimasse verziehen“ (to contort one's face into a grimace). These expressions particularly describe the visible facial expression.
Bei dem stechenden Schmerz verzog sie das Gesicht zu einer Grimasse.
Because of the stabbing pain, she contorted her face into a grimace.
The meaning of deliberately contorting one's face often appears in the fixed expression „eine Grimasse schneiden“ (to make a face). Here, „schneiden“ (to cut) does not refer to an activity involving a knife; it is simply part of the fixed expression.
Die Kinder schnitten Grimassen, sobald die Lehrerin ihnen den Rücken zudrehte.
The children made faces as soon as the teacher turned her back on them.
