German word

frech

Pronunciation

IPA/frɛç/

Meaning

  • adjectivecheeky

Example

Du bist ein frecher Junge.

You are a cheeky boy.

Illustration for frech (cheeky)

More examples

Sie gab ihm eine freche Antwort.

She gave him a cheeky answer.

Core concept

A playful boundary-pusher who acts boldly enough to seem cheeky or rude.

Common phrases

  • eine freche Antwort

    a cheeky answer

  • ein frecher Blick

    a cheeky look

  • mit frecher Miene

    with a cheeky expression

Similar words

unverschämt: Shamelessly insolent and offensively disrespectful, with little sense of proper restraint.
vorlaut: Impudently quick to speak, often giving unwanted opinions or interrupting.
dreist: Brazenly bold and shameless, acting without regard for what is socially acceptable.
keck: Playfully cheeky and spirited, with a lively charm rather than real malice.

Definition in German

Meist in spielerischer oder provokanter Weise mutig handeln und dadurch als unverschämt gelten.

Word origin

German frech continues Middle High German vrech and Old High German freh, from a Germanic adjective meaning bold or brave that developed toward impudent behavior.

Usage tips

  • Frech can sound affectionate for a child but insulting toward an adult, so the relationship and context strongly affect its tone.

Other meanings

  • brazenadjective
  • rudeadjective

Opposites

  • höflichpoliteadjective
  • taktvolltactfuladjective

Related words

  • Frechheitcheekinessnoun
  • Frechlinga cheeky personnoun
  • frechhaftcheekyadjective

Word lists with this word