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nounnounnoun

die Fratze, -n

grimace

Definition & meaning

Fratze means a grotesque, ugly, or distorted face. It can describe a real facial expression, often made deliberately to frighten or amuse, or a face depicted in an exaggerated, grotesque way.

Figuratively, Fratze can refer to a distorted or ugly appearance of something—for example, when a negative quality is said to reveal its “true face.”

Grammar & Word origin

  • Gender: feminine — die Fratze
  • Plural: die Fratzen
  • Word parts: Not transparently composed of smaller modern German words. Its historical origin is uncertain.
  • Related expression: eine Fratze schneiden means “to pull a face” or “to make a grimace.”

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

  • die Grimasse — a contorted facial expression; usually less strongly insulting or grotesque than Fratze.
  • das verzerrte Gesicht — a descriptive, relatively neutral phrase for a distorted face.
  • die Visage — an informal, often disparaging word for someone’s face; it does not necessarily imply a grotesque expression.

Antonyms: There is no exact opposite. Depending on context, das schöne Gesicht , das freundliche Gesicht , or der normale Gesichtsausdruck can contrast with a Fratze.

Common phrases & collocations

  • eine Fratze schneiden — to pull a face or make a grimace
  • eine hässliche Fratze — an ugly, grotesque face
  • die Fratze des Bösen — “the face of evil,” a figurative expression for evil in a stark or disturbing form

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Examples

Das Kind zog eine lustige Fratze.noun

The child made a funny grimace.

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