lächeln
Translation
to smile
Examples
Sie lächelt immer freundlich.
She always smiles in a friendly way.
Das Glück lächelte ihm.
Fortune smiled upon him.
Grammar Patterns
(( )) to smile She smiles.
((at sb./sth.)) to smile at sb./sth. He smiled at the joke.
((upon sb.)) <figurative> to smile upon sb. Fortune smiled upon him.
Similar Words
Synonyms: schmunzeln (to grin/smirk); Antonyms: weinen (to cry), finster blicken (to glower)
Etymology
It's the diminutive form of 'lachen' (to laugh), so it literally means 'to laugh a little'.
Memory Tips
Think of 'lachen' as a full laugh, and 'lächeln' as a small, gentle laugh, which is a smile.