scorn
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scorn
Biting mockery or contempt used to make someone or something look ridiculous and to humiliate them. Often used in the expression 'Hohn und Spott' (scorn and mockery).
Er ertrug den Hohn seiner Gegner mit stolzer Miene.
He endured the scorn of his opponents with a proud expression.
'Hohn' (scorn) is very often used in the fixed expression 'Hohn und Spott' (scorn and mockery). This expression intensifies the meaning of biting contempt and humiliation.
Für seine seltsame Idee erntete er nur Hohn und Spott.
For his strange idea, he received only scorn and mockery.
'Hohn' (scorn) is often combined with verbs that describe a reaction. Typical phrases are 'Hohn ernten' (to reap scorn), 'jemanden mit Hohn überschütten' (to heap scorn on someone), or 'etwas mit Hohn quittieren' (to respond to something with scorn).
Sie ertrug den Hohn ihrer Konkurrenten, ohne eine Miene zu verziehen.
She endured the scorn of her competitors without batting an eye.
The word 'Hohn' (scorn) belongs more to written language or an elevated style. It is a strong word that is heard less often in everyday colloquial speech.
In seinen Augen lag nur noch kalter Hohn.
In his eyes there was nothing left but cold scorn.
mockery / bargain
Spott is the general term for hurtful mockery and can vary in intensity. Hohn refers to particularly biting mockery that expresses clear contempt and is intended to humiliate. Use Spott for a more general reaction, and Hohn when deliberate humiliation is meant.
Nach Pauls Fehler reagierte sein Rivale mit beißendem Hohn, um ihn zu demütigen.
After Paul’s mistake, his rival reacted with biting scorn to humiliate him.
Nach Pauls Fehler reagierten einige Kollegen mit Spott.
After Paul’s mistake, some of his colleagues reacted with mockery.
