expression
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expression
A person's facial expression, reflecting their current mood, feelings, or thoughts.
An seiner finsteren Miene erkannte ich sofort, dass etwas nicht stimmte.
From his dark expression, I immediately realized that something was wrong.
to put a brave face on it
An idiom meaning that someone outwardly accepts an unpleasant or difficult situation calmly or even in a friendly way, although inwardly they are dissatisfied or annoyed.
Obwohl er die Kritik ungerecht fand, machte er gute Miene zum bösen Spiel und bedankte sich für das Feedback.
Although he thought the criticism was unfair, he put a brave face on it and thanked them for the feedback.
The word 'Miene' (expression) is often used with the verb 'verziehen' (to distort/pull). 'Keine Miene verziehen' means to show no outward reaction. 'Eine Miene verziehen' describes a brief, often involuntary change in facial expression.
Obwohl er überrascht war, verzog er keine Miene.
Although he was surprised, he did not bat an eye.
To describe a mood, 'Miene' (expression) is often combined with adjectives. Typical examples are 'eine ernste Miene' (a serious expression), 'eine finstere Miene' (a dark expression), 'eine freundliche Miene' (a friendly expression), or 'eine versteinerte Miene' (a stony expression).
Der Chef betrat den Raum mit ernster Miene.
The boss entered the room with a serious expression.
The word 'Miene' (expression) belongs more to written language or an elevated style. It is often used to describe a person's inner attitude through their facial expression.
Der Angeklagte hörte das Urteil mit unbewegter Miene an.
The defendant listened to the verdict with an unmoving expression.
The expression 'gute Miene zum bösen Spiel machen' (to put a brave face on it) is a fixed idiom whose parts cannot be changed. It describes accepting a negative situation outwardly calmly.
Obwohl er die Aufgabe nicht mochte, machte er gute Miene zum bösen Spiel.
Although he did not like the task, he put a brave face on it.
face
Gesicht and Miene can both refer to a recognizable mood. Gesicht refers to the face as the carrier of this expression, while Miene specifically means the expression being shown. That is why people often say „ein ernstes Gesicht machen“ (make a serious face), but describe an existing mood directly as ernste Miene.
Nach der schlechten Nachricht blieb seine Miene ernst.
After the bad news, his expression remained serious.
Nach der schlechten Nachricht machte er ein ernstes Gesicht.
After the bad news, he put on a serious face.
