die
Miene
🎭 What exactly is a Miene?
Die Miene (noun, feminine) refers to a person's facial expression, reflecting their current mood, feelings, or attitude. It's the way someone looks and what their face reveals (or tries to hide).
Unlike the general appearance of the face (das Gesicht), die Miene specifically refers to the temporary expression.
🚨 Attention: Do not confuse it with die Mine (e.g., pencil lead, landmine).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
🧐 Grammar: Die Miene in Detail
The word "Miene" is a feminine noun. Therefore, the article is always "die".
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Miene |
| Genitive | der | Miene |
| Dative | der | Miene |
| Accusative | die | Miene |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Mienen |
| Genitive | der | Mienen |
| Dative | den | Mienen |
| Accusative | die | Mienen |
Example Sentences
- Seine finstere Miene verriet seine schlechte Laune.
(His dark expression revealed his bad mood.) - Sie machte eine nachdenkliche Miene.
(She put on a thoughtful expression.) - Trotz der überraschenden Nachricht verzog er keine Miene.
(Despite the surprising news, he didn't bat an eyelid / show any reaction.) - Die fröhlichen Mienen der Kinder waren ansteckend.
(The children's cheerful expressions were contagious.)
💡 How to use "die Miene"?
"Die Miene" is used to describe non-verbal expression on the face. It's a common word in literature and everyday language.
- Typical Collocations:
- eine ernste / finstere / freundliche / saure / versteinerte Miene machen/aufsetzen (to put on a serious / dark / friendly / sour / stony expression)
- keine Miene verziehen (lit. 'not distort a feature', meaning: to keep a straight face, show no reaction)
- gute Miene zum bösen Spiel machen (lit. 'to make a good face to a bad game', meaning: to put a brave face on things)
- Context: Often used in situations describing feelings or reactions.
- Comparison: While "Gesichtsausdruck" can sound more neutral and technical, "Miene" often carries a slightly stronger evaluative or emotional connotation, although it can also be used neutrally.
🧠 Mnemonics for Miene
Article Mnemonic: Think of feminine intuition - she (die) can read your Miene. The 'e' sounds/endings might help remember 'die'.
Meaning Mnemonic: What do you mean by that look? Your Miene tells me! (The sound similarity between 'mean' and 'Miene' can link the word to expression/meaning).
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning)
- Der Gesichtsausdruck: The most general and neutral synonym (facial expression).
- Der Ausdruck: Shorter, often clear from context (expression, look; e.g., "ein gequälter Ausdruck" - a pained expression).
- Die Mimik: Refers more to the entirety of facial movements, often implying dynamics (facial expression, mimicry).
Antonyms (opposite/contrast)
Direct antonyms are difficult. However, one can contrast with:
- Die Ausdruckslosigkeit: Expressionlessness; the lack of a discernible expression.
- Die Regungslosigkeit: Motionlessness; no movement or change in the face ('keine Miene verziehen').
- Das Pokerface: An inscrutable, neutral expression (poker face).
⚠️ Similar but different words
- Die Mine: Can mean a mine (mining), an explosive device (landmine), or the lead of a pencil (Bleistiftmine).
😂 A little joke
Fragt der Lehrer: "Fritzchen, warum machst du so eine saure Miene?"
Fritzchen: "Ich habe versucht, Zitronen zu essen, ohne das Gesicht zu verziehen... es hat nicht geklappt!"
Teacher asks: "Fritzchen, why are you making such a sour face (saure Miene)?"
Fritzchen: "I tried to eat lemons without making a face... it didn't work!"
✍️ Poem about Miene
Ein Lächeln hell, die Welt wird schön,
Doch runzelt sich die Stirn zum Hohn.
Die Miene spricht, ganz ohne Wort,
Trägt Freude fort, an manchem Ort.
Mal ernst, mal froh, mal tief betrübt,
Ein Spiegel dessen, was man liebt
Und was uns quält, ganz offenbar,
Im Antlitz wird die Seele klar.
A bright smile, the world turns fair,
But brows may furrow to a sneer.
Die Miene speaks, without a word,
Carries joy forth, in places heard.
Now stern, now glad, now deeply pained,
A mirror of what's loved, what's gained,
And what torments us, plain to see,
The soul shown in the face's decree.
❓ Riddle
Ich habe keine Stimme, doch ich spreche laut,
Zeige Freude, Ärger, was das Herz grad baut.
Mal bin ich freundlich, mal wie Stein,
Du siehst sie oft im Angesicht – wer mag ich sein?
I have no voice, yet I speak aloud,
Show joy, anger, what the heart has vowed.
Sometimes I'm friendly, sometimes like stone,
You often see me on the face – who am I, known?
Solution: die Miene (the facial expression)
✨ Other Interesting Facts
Etymology: The word "Miene" likely comes from the French word "mine," which also means "appearance, facial expression." It entered the German language in the 16th/17th century.
Interestingly, in plural form ("Mienen"), the word could historically also refer to "gestures" or "demeanor", but today it's almost exclusively used for facial expression.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Miene?
The German word for facial expression, Miene, is always feminine. Therefore, the correct article is exclusively die Miene.