prallen
Translation
to collide, to bounce, to crash into
Examples
Der Ball prallt gegen die Wand.
The ball bounces against the wall.
Das Auto prallte gegen einen Baum.
The car crashed into a tree.
Grammar Patterns
((against sth.)) to collide with sth. The ball bounces against the wall.
Similar Words
Synonyms: stoßen (to push), zusammenstoßen (to collide); Antonyms: ausweichen (to evade)
Etymology
From Middle High German 'prallen' (to make a loud noise). Think of the 'prall' sound of an impact.
Memory Tips
Imagine a 'prall' (plump, taut) ball 'prallen' (bouncing) off a wall.