grinsen
Translation
to grin, to smirk
Examples
Er grinst mich frech an.
He grins at me cheekily.
Sie grinst über das ganze Gesicht.
She is grinning from ear to ear.
Grammar Patterns
to grin ((at sb.)) Er grinst mich frech an.
to grin ((about sth.)) Sie grinste über seinen Witz.
Similar Words
Synonyms: feixen (to smirk); Related: lächeln (to smile), lachen (to laugh)
Etymology
Cognate with English 'to grin'. Both likely have onomatopoeic origins, imitating the look of a wide smile.
Memory Tips
It's a wider, often more mischievous smile than 'lächeln'. Think of the Cheshire cat's grin.