brawl
die Prügelei, die Prügeleien
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brawl
A violent physical confrontation or fight between several people, often chaotic and wild. The word is mostly used colloquially.
Nach dem Fußballspiel kam es vor dem Stadion zu einer wüsten Prügelei.
After the football match, a wild brawl broke out in front of the stadium.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Prügeleien |
| genitive | der Prügelei |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Prügelei | die Prügeleien |
| accusative | die Prügelei | die Prügeleien |
| dative | der Prügelei | den Prügeleien |
| genitive | der Prügelei | der Prügeleien |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Prügelei' (brawl) is derived from the verb 'prügeln' (to beat violently). The ending '-ei' often forms nouns from verbs and here describes the act of fighting itself.
Die Polizei musste die Prügelei zwischen den Fangruppen auflösen.
The police had to break up the brawl between the fan groups.
The word 'Prügelei' (brawl) is mainly used in colloquial language. It is not a neutral or formal term for a physical confrontation.
Die beiden Streithähne begannen eine laute Prügelei mitten auf der Straße.
The two hotheads started a loud brawl right in the middle of the street.
Common phrases are 'es kommt zu einer Prügelei' (a brawl breaks out) or 'in eine Prügelei verwickelt sein' (to be involved in a brawl). These expressions describe the beginning of or participation in the fight.
Er wollte nur schlichten und geriet unglücklich in die Prügelei.
He only wanted to mediate and unfortunately got caught up in the brawl.
dispute / engagement
In the meaning given here, an Auseinandersetzung refers to a verbal or intellectual conflict. A Prügelei is explicitly physical, usually violent, and colloquial. So Auseinandersetzung is appropriate for an argument with words, while Prügelei describes a conflict involving blows.
Vor dem Lokal gerieten die beiden Männer in eine heftige Prügelei.
The two men got into a violent brawl outside the bar.
Vor dem Lokal hatten die beiden Männer eine laute verbale Auseinandersetzung.
The two men had a loud verbal argument outside the bar.
