How do you say "frech" in english?

[12356416514a]

I always struggle when asked to describe a character in English... so I thought maybe you more experienced people can help me out here.

There is this German word called "frech" and I have no idea how to translate that into English. My translator says bratty and naughty but I don't think they capture it very well.

Well, every time I google bratty girls I end up getting the wrong kind of results. I get findom-y content, extreme humiliation content and sometimes just bitchy girls.

But "frech" is different. It is bratty, but in a friendly way. Imagine... hmmm... You have to give a speech to a room full of people. Your girlfriend is sitting in the last row where only you can see her. She pulls her top up and flashes her tits to you, totally confusing you and turning you on. And before anyone can notice, she pulls her shirt back down. Now she is sitting there trying to hold back laughter while you try to focus in front of your coworkers/classmates.

Something like that... sorry I couldn't come up with a better explanation.

So it's basically bratty but in a friendlier way. Not evil but lo... okay it actually is a little evil lol. But evil in a friendly loving way. If that makes sense.

 

[Handley_Page]

I always struggle when asked to describe a character in English... so I thought maybe you more experienced people can help me out here.



Something like that... sorry I couldn't come up with a better explanation.

So it's basically bratty but in a friendlier way. Not evil but lo... okay it actually is a little evil lol. But evil in a friendly loving way. If that makes sense.

Naughty ?

 

[12356416514a]

My issue with naughty is that it's too sex related. When I search for naughty stories everything comes up. Like regular horny girls are naughty too.

 

[jaF0]

Delightfully devious?

 

[mynameisben]

Definition of cheeky

informal
: boldly rude, impudent, or disrespectful in usually a playful or appealing way
a cheeky grin
… old-timers who still look like they could deck you if you get too cheeky.


Synonyms

arch, audacious, bold, bold-faced, brash, brassbound, brassy, brazen, brazen-faced, cocksure, cocky, fresh, impertinent, impudent, insolent, nervy, sassy, saucy, wise

 

[12356416514a]

I came across cheeky too on my search, but I wasn't sure if that one fits. Because when I google cheeky only butt cheeks show up. But yeah, I think "disrespectful in usually a playful or appealing way" fits it perfectly.

I wasn't sure about cheeky because you can use "frech" in normal, non sexual ways too. But it sounds like cheeky works in non sexual ways too.

 

[Rustyoznail]

I came across cheeky too on my search, but I wasn't sure if that one fits. Because when I google cheeky only butt cheeks show up. But yeah, I think "disrespectful in usually a playful or appealing way" fits it perfectly.

I wasn't sure about cheeky because you can use "frech" in normal, non sexual ways too. But it sounds like cheeky works in non sexual ways too.

Cheeky would work - for your example.

I looked up at Sue, who was sitting in the back row. She gave me a saucy grin, flashed her tits and poked out her tongue. I scanned the audience, wondering if anyone else caught my cheeky girlfriend's act.

 

[yowser]

Definition of cheeky

Synonyms

arch, audacious, bold, bold-faced, brash, brassbound, brassy, brazen, brazen-faced, cocksure, cocky, fresh, impertinent, impudent, insolent, nervy, sassy, saucy, wise

It's settled. Got to be 'cocksure'.

 

[NotWise]

Google translate gives it eight synonymous definitions with about equal weight: naughty, cheeky, sassy, impudent, fresh, insolent, saucy, and impertinent. It gives brazen and cocky with a little less weight.

 

[Bramblethorn]

"Mischievous" and "impish" would both fit here.

 

[Emirus]

She brazenly...? She shamelessly...? She daringly...?
*

 

[LexxRuthless]

"Flirty" perhaps?

 

[soulhouse]

"Cheeky" was the first word that came to mind for me too. The meaning of "naughty" isn't sexual when applied to a child (hopefully), but becomes so when describing an adult.

 

[PennameWombat]

I came across cheeky too on my search, but I wasn't sure if that one fits. Because when I google cheeky only butt cheeks show up. But yeah, I think "disrespectful in usually a playful or appealing way" fits it perfectly.

I wasn't sure about cheeky because you can use "frech" in normal, non sexual ways too. But it sounds like cheeky works in non sexual ways too.

Welcome to the Wonderful World of English.

"Cheeky" is certainly an appropriate adjective for the usage, it's very often used in non-sexual situations.

But. "Cheeky" is not a common term in American English and for many Americans it will not be a native term. But it would be natural to British or Australian English speakers. But that could account for the reason why your search didn't show it up very well, due to so much American English out there. Here's a handy example: Cheeky equivalent in American English.

Back to the original posting, an American would think her behavior "saucy," "flirty," or "impulsive" or (yes) "naughty" (plenty of Americans will use it in a sense appropriate to your story, but plenty wouldn't as well.) Or "mischievous" I'd use as well.

"Brazen" is okay but to me I'd use that where not only the speaker and his girlfriend were aware, but also at least a few others (a bit beyond just a private act) but not the whole room. For example, she can't do it without at least a few people near her seeing as well. But she does it anyway.

"Shameless" if she knows most people in the room will probably see and she does it anyway.

 

[Bramblethorn]

Welcome to the Wonderful World of English.

"Cheeky" is certainly an appropriate adjective for the usage, it's very often used in non-sexual situations.

But. "Cheeky" is not a common term in American English and for many Americans it will not be a native term. But it would be natural to British or Australian English speakers.

Agreed, though in Australian Aboriginal English the word has different connotations. There, "cheeky" is something dangerous.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

While I'm not sure of the context in which you want to use the word, the term "impish" comes to mind as something that might fit your criteria

 

[Kumquatqueen]

Cheeky works best for British English but isn't used in the same way by Americans (look up Brits trying to explain a 'cheeky Nando's' to Americans, for amusement).

Impish, mischievous, smirking (a word used to describe any American grin but only used by villains in British English), would work.

Brits especially Scots can pronounce ch fine, thanks to words like 'loch'.

 

[NoJo]

Nice word.

Google Translate gives "naughty" and "sassy". I'm guessing it's etymologically related to "fresh" - as in "Don't get fresh with me", which in turn is related to "frisky".

- "sh" -> "sk" in Scandinavian languages, as in "ship/skip, shoal/School"

 

[oggbashan]

There is a Jewish word used in English - Chutzpah

If she was male? - ballsy might be appropriate.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

There is a Jewish word used in English - Chutzpah

If she was male? - ballsy might be appropriate.

Why can't a female be ballsy? It doesn't really mean they have balls.

 

[SimonDoom]

Sassy, perhaps.

Impudent.

Feisty

Frisky

Saucy

Impertinent

Cheeky

Fresh

Insolent

Smart-mouthed