mocking
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mocking
Expresses mockery or scorn in a hurtful or condescending way. A mocking remark or a mocking smile shows that someone does not take someone or something seriously, or is making fun of them.
Mit einem spöttischen Lächeln kommentierte er meinen Vorschlag.
With a mocking smile, he commented on my suggestion.
The adjective 'spöttisch' (mocking) is derived from the noun 'der Spott' (mockery, scorn, irony) and the verb 'spotten (über)' (to mock, to make fun of). If you know these words, you understand the meaning immediately.
Sein Spott über meine Kleidung hat mich sehr geärgert.
His mockery of my clothes really annoyed me.
'Spöttisch' (mocking) often describes a type of nonverbal or verbal communication. Common combinations are 'ein spöttisches Lächeln' (a mocking smile), 'eine spöttische Bemerkung' (a mocking remark), 'ein spöttischer Blick' (a mocking look), or 'ein spöttischer Tonfall' (a mocking tone of voice).
Er zog mit einem spöttischen Blick eine Augenbraue hoch.
He raised an eyebrow with a mocking look.
You can use 'spöttisch' (mocking) in two ways: directly before a noun (attributively) or as an adverb to describe how an action is carried out.
Das war eine spöttische Frage, keine ehrliche.
That was a mocking question, not an honest one.
ironic
Ironisch describes a remark whose wording clearly does not match what is meant, such as apparent praise. Spöttisch, by contrast, mainly describes a hurtful or condescending attitude, even when the words are meant literally. Choose ironisch for a reversal of meaning and spöttisch for the mockery being expressed.
Als Paul den Bericht voller Fehler abgab, lachte der Kollege spöttisch über seine angebliche Sorgfalt.
When Paul handed in the report full of mistakes, his colleague mockingly laughed at his supposed thoroughness.
Als Paul den Bericht voller Fehler abgab, sagte die Chefin ironisch: „Das ist ja eine perfekte Arbeit.“
When Paul handed in the report full of mistakes, the boss said ironically, “This is perfect work.”
