bewerfen
to pelt
To throw objects deliberately at a person, animal, or object.
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder bewarfen sich im Park gegenseitig mit Wasserbomben.
The children pelted each other with water balloons in the park.
bewerfen
to pelt / to throw at
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Meanings
bewerfen
to coat by throwing
To cover a wall with mortar or plaster by throwing the material onto the wall. This is a technique used in construction.
EXAMPLE
Der Maurer muss die rohe Ziegelwand noch mit einer Schicht Putz bewerfen.
The bricklayer still has to coat the raw brick wall with a layer of plaster by throwing it on.
Usage tips
Sentence structure and word structure
'Bewerfen' (to pelt / to throw at) is an inseparable verb that comes from the verb 'werfen' (to throw). The prefix 'be-' changes the sentence structure: the target of the throw becomes the direct accusative object of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Die Demonstranten bewarfen das Gebäude mit Farbbeuteln.
The demonstrators pelted the building with paint bags.
Usage pattern
The verb follows a fixed pattern: someone (subject) pelts someone/something (accusative) with something (dative). The thing being thrown is always used with the preposition 'mit' (with).
EXAMPLE
Im Winter bewerfen wir uns oft mit Schneebällen.
In winter, we often pelt each other with snowballs.
Typical collocations
In the general meaning, 'bewerfen' (to pelt) is often combined with things that are thrown playfully or aggressively, e.g. 'mit Schlamm bewerfen' (to pelt with mud), 'mit Konfetti bewerfen' (to shower/pelt with confetti), or 'mit Kissen bewerfen' (to pelt with pillows).
EXAMPLE
Nach der Hochzeit wurde das Brautpaar mit Reis beworfen.
After the wedding, the bride and groom were showered with rice.
Context clue
The construction meaning is very specific. You can recognize it from words like 'Wand' (wall), 'Mauer' (wall), 'Putz' (plaster), or 'Mörtel' (mortar). In all other cases, the general meaning 'etwas auf jemanden werfen' (to throw something at someone) is meant.
EXAMPLE
Der Handwerker bewarf die Wand gleichmäßig mit dem frischen Putz.
The craftsman coated the wall evenly with the fresh plaster by throwing it on.
Compare with
bewerfen vs werfen
to throw
Both verbs can describe deliberately throwing an object at a target. With werfen, the object being thrown or the throwing movement is usually in the foreground, whereas bewerfen names the target as the accusative object and usually introduces the thrown object with mit. Use bewerfen when the target is especially emphasized.
bewerfen
Die Kinder bewarfen ihren Bruder mit Schneebällen.
The children pelted their brother with snowballs.
werfen
Tom warf einen Schneeball auf seinen Bruder.
Tom threw a snowball at his brother.
In real life
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