sonrisa torcida
/sonrisa toɾθida/from spelling rules
The English phrase "crooked smile" is sonrisa torcida in Spanish.
In more formal contexts, you may use sonrisa asimétrica to refer specifically to a smile with uneven or asymmetrical features.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of sonrisa (smile) and torcida (crooked/twisted).
How does it change in a sentence?
Because sonrisa is a feminine noun, the adjective must take the feminine ending torcida rather than the masculine torcido.
How do you pronounce it?
/sonrisa toɾθida/
Did you know?
- The word sonrisa comes from the Latin subrīsa, where the prefix sub- means 'under'. This implies that a smile is a form of laughter that stays 'under' or is suppressed.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, a sonrisa torcida can be interpreted as a sign of irony, skepticism or a 'knowing' look rather than just a physical trait.
- While 'crooked' in English can mean dishonest, in Spanish, calling a smile torcida is much more likely to be taken as a literal description of a physical shape rather than a comment on someone's integrity.
Examples in context
- A pesar de su sonrisa asimétrica, tiene una apariencia encantadora.Despite her crooked smile, she has a charming appearance.
- ¡Tienes una sonrisa chueca muy encantadora!You have a very charming crooked smile!
- Tiene una sonrisa torcida.He/she has a crooked smile.
- Él tiene una sonrisa torcida muy bonita.He has a very beautiful crooked smile.
- Su sonrisa torcida me hace mucha gracia.His crooked smile makes me laugh a lot.
- Esa sonrisa torcida es su rasgo más especial.That crooked smile is his most special feature.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are looking at an old photograph.
- AlejandroMira la foto de mi abuelo.Look at the photo of my grandfather.
- LucíaTiene una sonrisa torcida muy encantadora.He has a very charming crooked smile.
- AlejandroSí, es una sonrisa torcida muy auténtica.Yes, it is a very authentic crooked smile.
- LucíaMe gusta mucho su expresión.I like his expression a lot.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sonrisa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
