verspielt

playful

adjective fer-SHPEELT Rare

Origin: past participle of verspielen (to gamble away)

Also means

whimsical

Usage Note

verspielt describes a playful, lighthearted nature in people, animals and design: ein verspieltes Muster (a whimsical pattern). Note that the verb verspielen means 'to gamble away', but the adjective has shifted to this positive, charming sense.

Examples

"Das verspielte Kätzchen jagte dem Faden nach."

Natural Translation

The playful kitten chased after the thread.

Literal Translation

The playful kitten chased the thread after.

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