prall
plump / taut
Filled to the maximum and therefore firm and tightly stretched. Often used for fruit, balls, tires, or body parts.
EXAMPLE
Der Fahrradreifen ist prall mit Luft gefüllt.
The bicycle tire is filled full of air and taut.
prall
plump / blazing
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Meanings
prall
blazing
In the phrase 'in der prallen Sonne' (in the blazing sun), it means being exposed to direct, intense, and unprotected sunlight.
EXAMPLE
Lass die Schokolade nicht in der prallen Sonne liegen, sonst schmilzt sie.
Don't leave the chocolate lying in the blazing sun, or it will melt.
prall
full / vibrant
Used figuratively to describe intensity and fullness, especially in the phrase 'das pralle Leben' (life in all its fullness).
EXAMPLE
In der Großstadt pulsiert das pralle Leben.
In the big city, life in all its fullness pulses.
Usage tips
Typical collocations
'Prall' (plump/taut) is often combined with things that have a round, full shape. Typical examples are plump fruit (cherries, tomatoes), a taut ball, or a wallet stuffed full.
EXAMPLE
Die Kirschen am Baum sind dieses Jahr besonders rot und prall.
The cherries on the tree are especially red and plump this year.
Fixed expression
The combination 'in der prallen Sonne' (in the blazing sun) is a fixed expression. Here, 'prall' does not mean 'filled', but rather 'direct', 'intense', and 'without shade'.
EXAMPLE
Man sollte mittags nicht in der prallen Sonne Sport machen.
You shouldn't exercise at midday in the blazing sun.
Figurative expression
The expression 'das pralle Leben' (life in all its fullness) is figurative and describes a life full of intensity, energy, and events. It is often used to characterize dynamic life in a city or in a lively place.
EXAMPLE
Wer das pralle Leben sucht, zieht nach Berlin.
Anyone looking for life in all its fullness moves to Berlin.
Compare with
prall vs direkt
direct
Direct sunlight reaches something without a protective barrier. The phrase pralle Sonne also describes unprotected exposure to sunlight, but additionally emphasizes its strong intensity. Direkt therefore refers to the way the sunlight reaches something, while prall is especially appropriate when the exposure to the sun is noticeably intense.
prall
Die Kräuter stehen mittags draußen in der prallen Sonne.
At noon, the herbs are outside in the blazing sun.
direkt
Die Kräuter stehen am Fenster in direktem Sonnenlicht.
The herbs are standing by the window in direct sunlight.
In real life
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