German word

knallen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈknalən/

Meaning

  • verbslam

Example

Die Tür knallt laut zu.

The door slams shut loudly.

Illustration for knallen (slam)

More examples

Die Musik knallte so laut, dass die Fenster vibrierten.

The music blasted so loudly that the windows vibrated.

Core concept

A sudden, forceful burst of sound as something slams, strikes, pops, or explodes.

Common phrases

  • Das Feuerwerk knallt

    The fireworks go off with a bang

  • Die Musik knallt aus den Boxen

    The music blasts from the speakers

Similar words

zuknallen: To slam a door or lid shut with force and noise.
krachen: To make a loud crash or bang on impact or when falling.
zuschnappen: To snap shut quickly with a small, sharp click.
platzen: To burst suddenly from internal pressure with a loud sound.

Definition in German

plötzlich und kräftig mit einem Knall laut werden; wörtlich für schlagende oder zuschlagende Bewegungen und übertragen auch zur Verstärkung verwendbar

Word origin

Knallen is formed from the sound-imitating noun Knall, meaning a bang or crack, with the German verb ending -en.

Usage tips

  • In "Die Tür knallt zu", zu belongs to separable zuknallen and moves to the end of the clause.

Other meanings

  • popverb
  • bangadverb
  • shootverb

Opposites

  • verstummenfall silentverb

Related words

  • Knallereibangingnoun
  • knallhartextremely toughadjective

Word lists with this word