prallen
to rebound
To hit a surface or obstacle with force and bounce back or glance off it.
EXAMPLE
Der Ball prallte von der Wand ab und rollte ins Aus.
The ball rebounded off the wall and rolled out of bounds.
prallen
to rebound / bulge
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Meanings
prallen
to be bulging
To be very full and stretched tight, so that something seems almost about to burst. Often used in the form 'prall gefüllt' (filled to bursting).
EXAMPLE
Die Einkaufstasche war prall mit Obst und Gemüse vom Markt gefüllt.
The shopping bag was bulging with fruit and vegetables from the market.
prallen
to beat down
Refers to the sun when it shines very strongly, hotly, and directly onto a surface.
EXAMPLE
Die Mittagssonne prallte erbarmungslos auf den ungeschützten Marktplatz.
The midday sun beat down mercilessly on the unprotected marketplace.
Usage tips
Context clue
The subject of the sentence reveals the meaning: a moving object (ball, car) rebounds or crashes into something. A container (bag, suitcase) is 'prall gefüllt' (filled to bursting). The sun beats down on a surface.
EXAMPLE
Das Auto prallte gegen einen Baum.
The car crashed into a tree.
Typical prepositions
In this meaning, 'prallen' (to rebound / crash) is often used with prepositions that indicate a direction or point of contact. 'gegen' (against) or 'auf' (onto) with the accusative are typical.
EXAMPLE
Die Wellen prallten mit voller Wucht gegen die Klippen.
The waves crashed against the cliffs with full force.
Use as an adjective
In this meaning, the participle form 'prall' is often used like an adjective, frequently in the fixed phrase 'prall gefüllt sein' (to be filled to bursting).
EXAMPLE
Die Äste des Apfelbaums waren prall mit Früchten.
The branches of the apple tree were heavy with fruit.
Fixed expression
When talking about intense sunshine, the subject is almost always 'die Sonne' (the sun). This use is often figurative and describes great heat.
EXAMPLE
Wir suchten Schatten, weil die Sonne so stark auf die Terrasse prallte.
We looked for shade because the sun was beating down so strongly on the terrace.
Compare with
prallen vs scheinen
to shine / seem
Both words can describe bright sunlight. “Scheinen” is the neutral way to say that the sun is giving off light or illuminating a place. “Prallen” is more marked and emphasizes very strong, hot sunlight shining directly onto a surface; “scheinen” is a better choice for normal light.
prallen
Die Mittagssonne prallt durch das Fenster ins Wohnzimmer.
The midday sun is beating down through the window into the living room.
scheinen
Die Sonne scheint durch das Fenster ins Wohnzimmer.
The sun is shining through the window into the living room.
In real life
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