to paint
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to paint
To apply paint to a surface, often to decorate it or design it artistically. In contrast to 'streichen' (to paint/coat), it often implies applying patterns, pictures, or colorful decorations.
Die Kinder bemalen zu Ostern die Eier mit bunten Farben.
At Easter, the children paint the eggs with bright colors.
'Bemalen' (to paint/decorate with paint) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'be-' remains firmly attached to the verb 'malen' (to paint) in all tenses and sentence positions.
Sie hat die ganze Wand mit Blumen bemalt.
She painted the whole wall with flowers.
The prefix 'be-' turns 'malen' (to paint) into a transitive verb that focuses on a surface. You 'malt ein Bild' (paint a picture—the picture is the result), but you 'bemalt eine Wand' (paint a wall—the wall is the surface).
Wir haben die Holzkiste bunt bemalt.
We painted the wooden box in bright colors.
If you want to say what something is painted with, use the preposition 'mit' followed by the dative.
Das Mädchen bemalt das Papier mit bunten Wasserfarben.
The girl paints the paper with colorful watercolors.
to paint / to cancel
Streichen usually means covering a surface evenly with paint. Bemalen also means applying paint, but it often suggests patterns, pictures, or decorations. Streichen is appropriate for painting something one color; bemalen is appropriate for decorative painting.
Lena bemalt die Wand im Kinderzimmer mit bunten Blumen.
Lena paints colorful flowers on the children’s bedroom wall.
Lena streicht die Wand im Kinderzimmer gleichmäßig weiß.
Lena paints the children’s bedroom wall white evenly.
