01
scheel
askance
Describes a resentful, envious, or suspicious look.
example
Sie sah ihn scheel an, als er von seinem Erfolg erzählte.
She looked at him askance when he told her about his success.
scheel
askance / cross-eyed
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Typical collocations
This adjective is used almost exclusively in connection with verbs of seeing. The most common construction is 'jemanden scheel ansehen' (to look at someone askance).
EXAMPLE
Er wurde von seinen Kollegen scheel angesehen, weil er eine Beförderung erhielt.
He was looked at askance by his colleagues because he received a promotion.
Register and style
In the meaning 'missgünstig' (resentful/envious), 'scheel' belongs to an elevated or literary style. It is used rather rarely in normal everyday language.
EXAMPLE
Mit einem scheelen Blick beobachtete sie die neue Nachbarin.
With an askance look, she watched the new neighbor.
Register note
The meaning 'schielend' (cross-eyed) is outdated today. You mainly find it in older texts. In modern language, this characteristic is expressed differently.
EXAMPLE
In dem alten Roman wurde die Figur als scheel beschrieben.
In the old novel, the character was described as cross-eyed.
Compare with
scheel vs neidisch
jealous / envious
'neidisch' and 'scheel' can both have to do with envy or resentment. 'neidisch' directly describes the feeling: someone wants to have or be able to do something that another person has or can do. 'scheel' usually describes a look that seems envious, suspicious, or resentful. It is not a normal everyday word for an envious person, but fits more in expressions like 'jemanden scheel ansehen' (to look at someone askance). Learners may confuse the words because 'scheel' can also express envy. In everyday language, however, people usually say 'neidisch' when talking about the feeling.
scheel
Der Nachbar sah uns scheel an, als wir den neuen Grill aufstellten.
The neighbor looked at us askance when we set up the new grill.
neidisch
Max war neidisch, weil seine Schwester ein neues Fahrrad bekommen hatte.
Max was jealous because his sister had gotten a new bicycle.
In real life
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