schelmisch
mischievous
Playfully cheeky, sly, or inclined to play little tricks.
EXAMPLE
Mit einem schelmischen Lächeln versteckte sie den Schlüssel hinter ihrem Rücken.
With a mischievous smile, she hid the key behind her back.
schelmisch
mischievous
schelmisch – schelmischer – am schelmischsten
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry schelmisch, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | schelmisch |
|---|---|
| comparative | schelmischer |
| superlative | am schelmischsten |
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to schelmisch.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to schelmisch.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to schelmisch.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Schelmisch' (mischievous) is derived from 'Schelm' (scoundrel / rascal). The ending '-isch' describes a characteristic or behavior that is typical of a rascal.
EXAMPLE
Sein schelmischer Charakter kam bei jedem Streich zum Vorschein.
His mischievous character came out whenever he played a prank.
Typical collocations
'Schelmisch' (mischievous) is especially often used to describe a facial expression or look. Common collocations include 'ein schelmisches Lächeln' (a mischievous smile), 'ein schelmischer Blick' (a mischievous look), and 'ein schelmisches Grinsen' (a mischievous grin).
EXAMPLE
Ihr schelmisches Grinsen verriet, dass sie schon einen Plan hatte.
Her mischievous grin revealed that she already had a plan.
Adverbial use
'Schelmisch' (mischievous) can also describe the manner of an action, especially when someone smiles, laughs, or looks at someone. In this use, it appears directly with the verb and describes how someone does something.
EXAMPLE
Er zwinkerte schelmisch und schwieg weiter.
He winked mischievously and continued to keep quiet.
In real life
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