Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| malen | /ˈmaːlən/ /ˈmaːlɛn/ |
| bemalen | /bəˈmaːlən/ |
| anmalen | |
| streichen | /ˈʃtʁaɪ̯çn̩/ /ˈʃtʁaɪ̯çən/ |
German uses different verbs to describe the act of painting depending on whether you are creating art, coating a surface or decorating an object. You can use malen to convey the general concept of painting, while anstreichen or pinseln can also be used in certain contexts. When referring to the substance itself, you might use Farbe or Lack.
Which one should you use?
The choice of verb depends entirely on your intention. Use malen for artistic painting or drawing, such as creating a picture. Use streichen when referring to the act of painting a surface, such as a wall or a fence, typically with a brush. This is the standard term for home improvement or DIY tasks. Use bemalen when the focus is on applying paint onto the surface of an object, such as painting patterns on a vase. anmalen is a colloquial way to express the idea of painting something.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form anmalen is considered colloquial. For formal contexts, particularly when referring to a coat of paint or painting a surface, you can use the noun Anstrich.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
malen is pronounced /ˈmaːlən/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use malen for painting a room. Instead, you should use streichen when referring to surfaces.
Did you know?
- The German verb streichen for painting a wall is a cognate of the English word 'strike'.
- In German, the word Farbe means both 'paint' as a substance and 'color' as a visual property.
- The word streichen is used for painting surfaces, but it is also the same verb used for 'stroking' or 'gliding' something smoothly.
Examples in context
- Ich muss es anmalen.Gotta paint it.This sentence is useful for expressing the need to paint something using the colloquial anmalen.Tatoeba #1878133 by Tamy, translation #33816 by Lumi
- Tom kann nicht malen.Tom can't paint.This sentence shows the ability to paint artistically using malen.Tatoeba #6615151 by Felixjp, translation #3736707 by CK
- Wir werden es anmalen.We'll paint it.This sentence expresses a future intention to paint something using the colloquial anmalen.Tatoeba #1878138 by Tamy, translation #33817 by CK
- Der Künstler verwendet hochwertige Farben für sein Gemälde.The artist uses high-quality paint for his painting.
- Bevor Sie die Wand renovieren, sollten Sie einen neuen Anstrich auftragen.Before renovating the wall, you should apply a new coat of paint.
- Kannst du mir die Malfarben für mein Kunstprojekt ausleihen?Can you lend me the paint for my art project?
- Ich möchte mein Auto lackieren lassen, um es aufzufrischen.I want to have my car painted to freshen it up.
- 129 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laura and Julian are in an art studio.
- LauraMöchtest du dieses Bild malen?Do you want to paint this picture?
- JulianJa, ich will ein Haus malen.Yes, I want to paint a house.
- LauraJulian, du kannst sehr gut malen.Julian, you can paint very well.
- JulianDanke, Laura, das ist nett.Thanks, Laura, that is kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “paint” translations and entries malen, bemalen, anmalen, streichen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries anmalen, bemalen, malen, streichen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
