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schelmisch

mischievous, roguish

adjective SHEL-mish Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Personality

Also means

impish, playfully teasing

Usage Note

schelmisch describes a sly, good-natured playfulness — a twinkle-in-the-eye quality. It implies harmless mischief rather than malice. Often used with Blick (glance) or Lächeln (smile): ein schelmisches Lächeln — a roguish smile.

Examples

"Sie warf ihm einen schelmischen Blick zu und versteckte die Schlüssel hinter ihrem Rücken."

Natural Translation

She gave him a mischievous look and hid the keys behind her back.

Literal Translation

She threw him a mischievous glance and hid the keys behind her back.

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