verb
to smile
B1
Meaning: 'to smile' (show happiness or politeness). It’s a regular weak verb with participle 'gelächelt' and present participle 'lächelnd'. Non‑reflexive; no special preposition. Uses auxiliary 'haben' in perfect tenses. Imperative forms include 'Lächle!' (du) and 'Lächeln Sie!'. Common in greetings and polite interaction.
Examples
Er hat mich angelächelt.
He smiled at me.
Sie lächelt, wenn sie dich sieht.
She smiles when she sees you.
Sie lächelte freundlich.
She smiled warmly.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture someone smiling with little 'LÄCH' sound bubbles coming out
lay-shell (imagine laying a shell with a smile)
Notes
Lächeln is a weak (regular) verb. The past participle is 'gelächelt' and it uses haben in perfect tenses: sie hat gelächelt. | Intransitive verb; passive forms are not applicable.