English–German

“smile to oneself” in German

German

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʃmʊnt͡səln/

Example

Ich schmunzle, wenn ich die Nachricht lese.

I smile to myself when I read the message.

Illustration for schmunzeln (smile to oneself)

How to say “smile to oneself” in German

“Smile to oneself” in German is schmunzeln.

A quiet, contained laugh shows through a small smile, suggesting personal amusement rather than open laughter.

Full entry for schmunzeln: usage tips, similar words and word origin

Example sentences with schmunzeln

Er schmunzelt schelmisch, als er die Pointe versteht.

He smiles mischievously when he understands the punchline.

Tips for using schmunzeln

  • Schmunzeln is usually gentler than English 'smirk', which often suggests contempt or self-satisfaction; it can also express mild irony.

“smile to oneself” in other languages