spitzbübisch

roguish, impish, mischievous

adjective SHPITS-bue-bish Rare

Also means

waggish, playfully crafty

Usage Note

Spitzbübisch evokes the Spitzbube (rascal) and describes playful, harmless mischievousness; often applied to a smile or glance. Ein spitzbübisches Grinsen — a roguish grin. Warmer and more affectionate than verschlagen.

Examples

"Mit einem spitzbübischen Lächeln gestand er den Streich."

Natural Translation

With a roguish smile he confessed the prank.

Literal Translation

With a roguish smile he confessed the trick.

Free starter pack

Building your German vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common German words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Related Words

Explore German by topic

GermanNow

German Cases Explained Simply (4 Cases)

German has four cases, and each answers one question: wer, wen, wem, wessen. Learn nominative, accusative, dative, and genitive without drowning in charts.

June 5, 2026 6 min read

GermanNow

German Colors: Names, Shades, and Idioms

German colors are adjectives that take endings — say das rote Auto, not das rot Auto. Get the names, shades, the das-Rot rule, and 14 color idioms.

June 5, 2026 5 min read

GermanNow

Du vs. Sie: When to Use Each in German

Use Sie with strangers, elders, and at work; use du with friends, family, kids, and peers. Here's how to pick the right German you every time.

June 5, 2026 6 min read

GermanNow

How to Tell Time in German Without Mistakes

Halb sieben means 6:30, not 7:30. Master telling time in German — Viertel nach, halb, vor, the 24-hour clock, and the prepositions that trip up beginners.

June 5, 2026 5 min read