German word

bemalen

Pronunciation

IPA/bəˈmaːlən/

Meaning

  • verbpaint

Example

Ich bemale die Wand.

I am painting the wall.

Illustration for bemalen (paint)

More examples

Am Nachmittag bemalen die Kinder die Schulfenster.

In the afternoon, the children paint the school windows.

Core concept

A wall carries added painted lines, colors, or pictures that turn its surface into a designed scene.

Common phrases

  • die Wand bemalen

    paint the wall

  • Ostereier bemalen

    paint Easter eggs

  • mit einem Pinsel bemalen

    paint with a brush

Similar words

malen: Create pictures or patterns with lines and colors on paper, walls, or other surfaces.
streichen: Cover a wall or object evenly with paint as a finish.
anmalen: Color part of a surface to add a mark or decoration.
lackieren: Coat furniture, cars, or other objects with paint for a glossy finish.

Definition in German

Etwas mit Farbe versehen, häufig mit dekorativem oder bildhaften Ergebnis.

Word origin

Bemalen combines the prefix be- with malen, with be- making the painting action directly affect an object.

Usage tips

  • Bemalen usually suggests marks, patterns, or pictures on a surface, while streichen more often describes covering a surface with an even coat.

Other meanings

  • colorverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Bemalungpaintingnoun
  • Bemalereidecorative paintingnoun
  • bemaltpaintedadjective

Word lists with this word