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A1 verb #4,500 most common 11 min read

malen

Top 4,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips malen in 30 Seconds

Explanation malen in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'malen' is introduced as a basic activity verb. Learners focus on simple present tense sentences like 'Ich male.' or 'Das Kind malt ein Haus.' The emphasis is on identifying the word as a hobby or a school activity. You learn to distinguish it from 'schreiben' (to write) and 'lesen' (to read). Vocabulary at this level usually includes basic colors and tools like 'der Pinsel' (the brush) and 'die Farbe' (the color). The goal is to be able to state that you like painting or to describe a simple picture you have created.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'malen' in the past tense (Perfekt) to talk about things you did. You might say, 'Gestern habe ich ein Bild gemalt.' You also start to use it with modal verbs: 'Ich kann gut malen' or 'Ich möchte ein Bild malen.' The distinction between 'malen' and 'zeichnen' becomes important here, as does the use of the word in the context of household chores, although 'streichen' is often introduced as well. You can describe what is in a painting using simple prepositions like 'auf dem Bild'.

By B1, you are expected to use 'malen' in more complex structures, including the passive voice ('Das Bild wurde von einem berühmten Künstler gemalt'). You also encounter the word in more varied contexts, such as describing art as a form of therapy or expression. Reflexive idioms like 'sich etwas ausmalen' (to imagine something) might appear in reading texts. You can discuss different styles of painting using adjectives and adverbs, and you understand the difference between 'malen' and its prefixed versions like 'ausmalen' or 'anmalen' in common scenarios.

At the B2 level, 'malen' is used in more abstract and metaphorical ways. You might analyze a text where an author 'paints' a vivid scene. You will also learn more specific artistic vocabulary, such as 'ölgemalt' (painted in oil) or 'pastellgemalt'. You can participate in discussions about art history and use 'malen' to describe the techniques of different eras. The word also appears in more sophisticated idiomatic expressions, and you are comfortable using it in all tenses, including the Konjunktiv II for hypothetical scenarios ('Wenn ich Zeit hätte, würde ich mehr malen').

At the C1 level, your use of 'malen' and its derivatives should be nuanced and precise. You can distinguish between 'pinseln', 'tupfen', and 'malen' to describe specific brush techniques. You are familiar with the word's presence in high literature and can interpret its metaphorical significance in complex texts. You can discuss the socio-cultural impact of 'Maler' (painters) throughout history and use the word in formal academic or professional critiques of visual media. Your understanding of the word's etymology and its relation to other Germanic languages might also be touched upon.

At the C2 level, you have a near-native command of 'malen'. You can use it effortlessly in puns, wordplay, and deep philosophical discussions about the nature of representation. You understand the subtle differences in register between 'malen', 'anstreichen', and 'lackieren' in every possible context. You can critique the finest details of a painting using highly specialized terminology and discuss the evolution of the verb's meaning over centuries. The word is no longer just a verb for you; it is a versatile tool for expressing complex ideas about reality, perception, and creativity.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

malen in 30 Seconds

Malen is a German verb meaning 'to paint', primarily used for artistic creation with liquid media and brushes.
It is a regular verb conjugated as ich male, du malst, er malt, and uses 'haben' in the perfect tense.
The word is distinct from 'zeichnen' (to draw with lines/pencils) and 'streichen' (to paint large surfaces like walls).
It appears in many idioms, such as 'den Teufel an die Wand malen' (to be pessimistic).

The German verb malen is a fundamental action word that every beginner learns early in their journey. At its core, it refers to the act of applying paint to a surface, whether that surface is a canvas, a piece of paper, or even a wall. For English speakers, it is most directly translated as 'to paint.' However, the cultural nuances in German distinguish it sharply from its cousin, 'zeichnen' (to draw). While drawing involves lines and usually dry media like pencils or charcoal, malen is almost always associated with wet media, brushes, and the application of color. Children in German-speaking countries are encouraged to 'malen' from a very young age, often starting with 'Fingerfarben' (finger paints) before moving on to 'Wasserfarben' (watercolors). In a broader artistic sense, the word encompasses the entire creative process of a painter, from the initial stroke to the finished masterpiece.

Artistic Creation: This is the most common use. It describes an artist working on a 'Gemälde' (painting). For example, 'Der Künstler malt ein Porträt' (The artist is painting a portrait).

Ich möchte heute ein schönes Bild der Berge malen.

Beyond the fine arts, malen is used in domestic contexts. When a child is coloring in a coloring book, they are 'ausmalen' (coloring in), but the general activity is still described as 'malen.' It is a word that evokes creativity, relaxation, and visual expression. In adult life, you might hear it in the context of home improvement, though 'anstreichen' or 'streichen' is technically more accurate for painting a flat wall a single color. However, if someone is decorating a wall with murals or patterns, malen returns as the primary verb. The word also carries a metaphorical weight; one can 'malen' a picture with words, describing a scene so vividly that the listener can see it in their mind's eye. This metaphorical usage is common in literature and high-level rhetoric.

Childhood Development: In German pedagogy, 'malen' is seen as essential for fine motor skills. Schools have dedicated 'Kunstunterricht' (art lessons) where 'malen' is the central activity.

Die Kinder malen im Kindergarten oft mit bunten Farben.

Furthermore, the word appears in several compound forms that expand its utility. 'Abmalen' means to copy a picture by painting it, while 'bemalen' means to paint on something, like painting a vase or a piece of furniture. Understanding these prefixes is key to mastering the word's reach. In the digital age, 'malen' has even transitioned to software; when you use a brush tool in Photoshop or a basic paint program, you are still 'malen' digitally. This versatility ensures that the word remains relevant across different media and eras of human expression.

Using malen correctly requires an understanding of German sentence structure and verb conjugation. As a regular (weak) verb, it follows a predictable pattern which makes it quite accessible for learners. In the present tense, the stem 'mal-' takes the standard endings: ich male, du malst, er/sie/es malt, wir malen, ihr malt, sie/Sie malen. Because it is a transitive verb, it usually takes a direct object in the accusative case. For example, in the sentence 'Ich male einen Baum' (I am painting a tree), 'einen Baum' is the direct object. If you are painting for someone, that person would be in the dative case: 'Ich male dir ein Bild' (I am painting a picture for you).

Present Tense Construction: Subject + conjugated 'malen' + accusative object. 'Sie malt die Sonne in die Ecke des Papiers.'

Wir malen heute in der Schule mit Ölfarben.

When moving into the past tense, you will most frequently use the 'Perfekt' form in spoken German. This requires the auxiliary verb 'haben' and the past participle 'gemalt'. For example: 'Ich habe gestern ein Porträt gemalt' (I painted a portrait yesterday). In formal writing or literature, you might encounter the 'Präteritum' form: 'Er malte den ganzen Tag' (He painted all day). It is important to note that 'malen' can also be used intransitively, meaning it doesn't need an object if the focus is on the activity itself: 'Was machst du? Ich male gerade' (What are you doing? I'm painting right now).

Prepositional Usage: Use 'mit' (with) for the instrument or medium: 'mit dem Pinsel malen' (to paint with the brush) or 'mit Acryl malen' (to paint with acrylics).

Hast du dieses wunderschöne Bild selbst gemalt?

In complex sentences, malen often pairs with modal verbs. 'Ich möchte malen' (I would like to paint) or 'Kannst du eine Katze malen?' (Can you paint a cat?). When using modal verbs, 'malen' moves to the very end of the sentence in its infinitive form. Mastering these placements is crucial for sounding natural. Additionally, pay attention to the direction of the action; if you are painting 'on' a surface, use 'auf' + accusative for movement: 'Ich male ein Muster auf den Tisch' (I am painting a pattern onto the table).

In daily life in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland, you will encounter the word malen in a variety of settings. The most common is undoubtedly within the family and educational sphere. Parents frequently ask their children, 'Möchtest du etwas malen?' (Would you like to paint something?) as a way to keep them occupied and creative. In 'Kindergärten' and 'Grundschulen' (primary schools), 'malen' is a daily activity. You will see signs for 'Malkurse' (painting classes) in community centers (Volkshochschulen), offering everything from watercolor techniques to abstract oil painting.

Art Galleries and Museums: When visiting a museum like the Alte Pinakothek in Munich, you will hear guides discussing how a master 'malte' a specific section of a canvas to create light effects.

Die Museumsführerin erklärte, wie Rembrandt dieses Porträt gemalt hat.

Another place you'll hear this word is in the professional trade of the 'Maler' (painter/decorator). While we mentioned 'streichen' for walls, the professional title remains 'Maler und Lackierer'. If you are renovating your apartment, you might say, 'Ich habe einen Maler bestellt' (I have ordered/hired a painter). On the street, you might see 'Straßenmaler' (street painters) creating elaborate chalk masterpieces on the pavement. Even in the world of fashion and makeup, the term 'anmalen' (to paint oneself up) is used, sometimes pejoratively to imply too much makeup, or creatively in the context of face painting ('Kinderschminken').

Metaphorical Speech: In news reports or political speeches, you might hear 'den Teufel an die Wand malen' (to paint the devil on the wall), meaning to be overly pessimistic.

Man sollte nicht immer gleich den Teufel an die Wand malen, wenn etwas schiefgeht.

Finally, in the digital realm, social media platforms are full of 'Speedpainting' videos where artists 'malen' digitally. The terminology remains the same even as the tools change. Whether you are in a high-end art gallery in Berlin-Mitte or watching a child with a box of crayons in a small village in Bavaria, the word malen connects the act of visual creation across all levels of society. It is a word that carries warmth and the human desire to leave a mark, literally and figuratively.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make is confusing malen with zeichnen. In English, we often use 'drawing' and 'painting' somewhat interchangeably in casual conversation, but in German, the distinction is rigid. If you use a pencil, a pen, or a piece of chalk to create lines, you are 'zeichnen'. If you use a brush and liquid colors, you are 'malen'. If you tell a German art teacher you 'painted' a sketch with a pencil, they will likely correct you immediately. Another common mistake involves the physical act of painting a house. While 'malen' is the root for the profession 'Maler', the actual verb for painting a flat wall is usually 'streichen' (to stroke/paint) or 'anstreichen'.

Malen vs. Zeichnen: Wrong: Ich male mit einem Bleistift. (I paint with a pencil.) Correct: Ich zeichne mit einem Bleistift. (I draw with a pencil.)

Er wollte das Haus streichen, nicht ein Bild darauf malen.

Learners also struggle with the prefixes. 'Ausmalen' specifically means to color in a pre-drawn shape, like in a coloring book. If you just say 'malen', it implies creating the whole image from scratch. 'Anmalen' usually means to apply paint to the surface of an object, often covering it completely or decorating it. Confusing 'malen' with 'mahlen' (to grind, as in grinding coffee or flour) is a common spelling mistake, even for native speakers occasionally, as they are homophones (pronounced exactly the same). Remember: 'malen' with one 'h' is for art; 'mahlen' with an 'h' is for the mill ('Mühle').

Case Errors: Mistake: Ich male ein(er) Mann. Correct: Ich male einen Mann (Accusative). The object you are painting must be in the accusative case.

Ich habe den Kaffee gemahlen (grinded), nicht gemalt (painted)!

Finally, be careful with the reflexive use. 'Sich etwas ausmalen' is a common idiom meaning 'to imagine something' or 'to picture something in one's mind'. If you say 'Ich male mich', it literally means you are applying paint to your own body. If you want to say you are painting a self-portrait, you should say 'Ich male ein Selbstporträt'. Using the reflexive 'sich' changes the meaning to a figurative sense of imagination or a literal sense of body painting, which might lead to humorous misunderstandings in the wrong context.

While malen is the general term for painting, German offers a rich palette of more specific verbs that can make your speech more precise. For instance, if you are doing a quick, rough painting to capture an idea, you might use skizzieren (to sketch). If you are painting a large area like a wall or a fence, streichen or anstreichen are the preferred terms. For more technical or industrial painting, such as applying a protective coat to a car or a piece of machinery, the verb lackieren (to varnish/lacquer) is used. Understanding these distinctions helps you navigate different professional and creative environments.

Malen vs. Streichen: 'Malen' is artistic and detailed. 'Streichen' is functional and covers large surfaces. You 'malst' a mural, but you 'streichst' the living room walls.

Der Künstler malt ein Fresko, während der Handwerker die Decke streicht.

Another interesting set of alternatives comes from the world of fine arts. Porträtieren specifically means to paint (or draw) a portrait of someone. Abbilden means to depict or represent something in an image. If you are talking about the act of coloring, kolorieren is often used in professional illustration or comic book art. There is also pinseln, which is a slightly informal or sometimes derogatory way to say 'to paint' or 'to daub', implying a less careful or more amateurish application of paint (literally 'to brush around').

Technical Nuances: 'Lackieren' (to lacquer) is used for smooth, shiny finishes. 'Grundieren' (to prime) is the very first step before you actually start 'malen'.

Bevor ich das Bild male, muss ich die Leinwand grundieren.

In summary, while malen is your reliable 'all-purpose' verb for painting, being aware of 'zeichnen', 'streichen', 'lackieren', and 'bemalen' will prevent confusion and make your German sound much more sophisticated. Each word carries its own specific 'tools of the trade' and context, reflecting the German language's tendency toward precision and categorization. By choosing the right verb, you show a deeper understanding of the physical and artistic world around you.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word originally meant simply 'to make a mark' or 'to spot'. This is why 'Muttermal' (birthmark) contains the same root, referring to a mark on the skin.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈmaːlən/

US /ˈmɑːlən/

The stress is on the first syllable: MA-len.

Rhymes With

Zahlen Strahlen Prahlen Schalen Mahlen Qualen Wahlen Aalen

Common Errors

Pronouncing it like 'mail' (English). The 'a' must be 'ah'.
Confusing it with 'mahlen' (to grind), which is pronounced the same but spelled differently.
Shortening the 'a' sound too much.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy to recognize in texts due to its frequency.

Writing 2/5

Easy to conjugate, but requires attention to the 'malen' vs 'mahlen' spelling.

Speaking 1/5

Simple pronunciation and very common in daily conversation.

Listening 1/5

Distinct sound, though context is needed to distinguish from 'mahlen'.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

Farbe Bild gut machen Kind

Learn Next

zeichnen streichen Künstler Museum Galerie

Advanced

skizzieren porträtieren grundieren lasieren firnissen

Grammar to Know

Weak Verb Conjugation

Ich male, du malst, er malt...

Accusative Direct Object

Ich male einen (Akk) Baum.

Perfect Tense with Haben

Ich habe gemalt.

Separable Verbs with 'malen'

Ich male die Blume aus. (ausmalen)

Dative for Beneficiary

Ich male dir (Dat) ein Bild.

Examples by Level

Ich male eine Blume.

I am painting a flower.

Simple present tense, transitive verb with accusative object.

Das Kind malt gern.

The child likes to paint.

Intransitive use focusing on the activity.

Malst du ein Haus?

Are you painting a house?

Question form with verb in first position.

Wir malen mit Wasserfarben.

We are painting with watercolors.

Prepositional phrase 'mit' + dative plural.

Sie malt die Sonne gelb.

She is painting the sun yellow.

Using an adjective to describe the result of the action.

Hier darf man nicht malen.

You are not allowed to paint here.

Modal verb 'dürfen' with infinitive at the end.

Mein Bruder malt ein Auto.

My brother is painting a car.

Third person singular conjugation.

Komm, wir malen zusammen!

Come, let's paint together!

Imperative suggestion using 'wir' form.

Ich habe gestern ein Bild gemalt.

I painted a picture yesterday.

Perfect tense using 'haben' and 'gemalt'.

Können Sie mir eine Karte malen?

Can you paint (draw) a map for me?

Modal verb with dative 'mir' and accusative 'eine Karte'.

Er malt oft in seinem Zimmer.

He often paints in his room.

Adverb of frequency 'oft' placed after the verb.

Wir haben die Wände weiß gemalt.

We painted the walls white.

Resultative adjective 'weiß' with the perfect tense.

Warum malst du den Baum blau?

Why are you painting the tree blue?

Interrogative 'warum' with present tense.

Sie wollte Künstlerin werden und viel malen.

She wanted to become an artist and paint a lot.

Präteritum of 'wollen' with infinitive 'malen'.

Hast du das alles selbst gemalt?

Did you paint all of that yourself?

Perfect tense question with 'selbst' for emphasis.

Die Kinder malen bunte Bilder für die Oma.

The children are painting colorful pictures for grandma.

Prepositional phrase 'für' + accusative.

Das Porträt wurde mit Ölfarben gemalt.

The portrait was painted with oil paints.

Passive voice (Vorgangspassiv) in the past.

Ich kann mir gar nicht ausmalen, wie teuer das war.

I can't even imagine how expensive that was.

Reflexive idiomatic use of 'ausmalen' meaning 'to imagine'.

Der Maler malt die Fassade des Hauses.

The painter is painting the facade of the house.

Noun 'Maler' and verb 'malen' used together.

Bevor er starb, malte er sein letztes Meisterwerk.

Before he died, he painted his last masterpiece.

Präteritum used in a narrative context.

Es macht Spaß, Landschaften zu malen.

It is fun to paint landscapes.

Infinitive clause with 'zu'.

Sie malt so realistisch, dass es wie ein Foto aussieht.

She paints so realistically that it looks like a photo.

Adverbial use 'realistisch' and consecutive clause.

Wir sollten die Zukunft nicht zu schwarz malen.

We shouldn't paint the future too black (be too pessimistic).

Idiomatic expression 'schwarz malen'.

Haben Sie schon einmal ein Stillleben gemalt?

Have you ever painted a still life?

Perfect tense with 'schon einmal' (ever).

Der Künstler malt, um seine Gefühle auszudrücken.

The artist paints in order to express his feelings.

Final clause with 'um...zu'.

In seinem Roman malt der Autor ein düsteres Bild der Gesellschaft.

In his novel, the author paints a gloomy picture of society.

Metaphorical use of 'malen' in literature.

Obwohl es regnete, malte sie im Freien weiter.

Although it was raining, she continued painting outdoors.

Concessive clause with 'obwohl'.

Das Bild ist so groß, dass er Wochen brauchte, um es zu malen.

The picture is so big that he needed weeks to paint it.

Consecutive clause with 'so...dass'.

Man kann die Schönheit der Natur kaum schöner malen.

One can hardly paint the beauty of nature more beautifully.

Comparative 'schöner' used with the verb.

Er malte das Bild aus dem Gedächtnis.

He painted the picture from memory.

Prepositional phrase 'aus dem Gedächtnis'.

Die Szene war so lebhaft gemalt, dass man die Musik fast hören konnte.

The scene was so vividly painted that one could almost hear the music.

Participle used as an adjective with an adverb.

Anstatt zu schreiben, malte er lieber seine Tagebuchbegleite.

Instead of writing, he preferred painting his diary entries.

Alternative clause with 'anstatt zu'.

Die Komplexität der menschlichen Seele lässt sich schwer malen.

The complexity of the human soul is difficult to paint.

Reflexive 'lässt sich' construction for passive meaning.

Er malte mit einer Präzision, die an die alten Meister erinnerte.

He painted with a precision that was reminiscent of the old masters.

Relative clause with 'die'.

Indem sie die Schatten dunkler malte, erzeugte sie mehr Tiefe.

By painting the shadows darker, she created more depth.

Modal clause with 'indem'.

Es gilt, die Realität nicht nur abzubilden, sondern neu zu malen.

The task is not just to depict reality, but to paint it anew.

Correlative conjunction 'nicht nur... sondern auch'.

Der Philosoph malte ein Szenario, in dem alle Menschen gleich sind.

The philosopher painted a scenario in which all people are equal.

Metaphorical use in a philosophical context.

Trotz seiner Erblindung malte er mithilfe seiner Erinnerungen weiter.

Despite his blindness, he continued to paint with the help of his memories.

Genitive preposition 'trotz' and 'mithilfe'.

Die Künstlerin malte so impulsiv, dass die Farbe von der Leinwand tropfte.

The artist painted so impulsively that the paint dripped from the canvas.

Adverb 'impulsiv' and consecutive clause.

Man muss die Welt so malen, wie man sie sieht, nicht wie sie ist.

One must paint the world as one sees it, not as it is.

Comparative clause with 'wie'.

In der Postmoderne wird das Malen an sich oft infrage gestellt.

In postmodernism, painting itself is often called into question.

Substantivized verb 'das Malen' as a subject.

Er malte gegen den Strom der Zeit und ignorierte alle Trends.

He painted against the current of the time and ignored all trends.

Idiomatic 'gegen den Strom' with the verb.

Die Nuancen, die er malte, entziehen sich einer einfachen Beschreibung.

The nuances he painted elude simple description.

Relative clause and sophisticated verb 'entziehen'.

Vielleicht malte er nur deshalb, um der Einsamkeit zu entfliehen.

Perhaps he painted only for the purpose of escaping loneliness.

Final clause with 'um...zu' and 'deshalb'.

Seine Bilder malen ein Epos von Leid und Erlösung.

His pictures paint an epic of suffering and redemption.

Metaphorical use with abstract nouns.

Hätte er nicht gemalt, wäre er wohl wahnsinnig geworden.

If he hadn't painted, he probably would have gone insane.

Konjunktiv II (Conditional) for past impossibility.

Die Art und Weise, wie das Licht gemalt ist, zeugt von Genialität.

The way the light is painted testifies to genius.

Passive construction within a relative clause.

Man kann sich die Konsequenzen seines Handelns lebhaft malen.

One can vividly imagine (paint) the consequences of one's actions.

Reflexive use 'sich' with 'lebhaft'.

Synonyms

anstreichen streichen lackieren pinseln abbilden porträtieren skizzieren kolorieren

Antonyms

löschen radieren zerstören übermalen

Common Collocations

ein Bild malen

mit Ölfarben malen

nach der Natur malen

die Wände malen

den Teufel an die Wand malen

aus dem Gedächtnis malen

digital malen

abstrakt malen

ein Porträt malen

mit dem Pinsel malen

Common Phrases

Malen nach Zahlen

— Paint by numbers. A popular hobby for kids and adults.

Ich habe zum Geburtstag ein 'Malen nach Zahlen'-Set bekommen.

Schwarz malen

— To be pessimistic or see things in a negative light.

Du solltest nicht immer alles so schwarz malen.

Etwas in den buntesten Farben malen

— To describe something in a very positive or vivid way.

Er malte uns die Zukunft in den buntesten Farben.

Sich etwas ausmalen

— To imagine or visualize something in detail.

Ich kann mir schon ausmalen, wie schön der Urlaub wird.

Den Teufel an die Wand malen

— To expect the worst or talk about a possible disaster.

Warum musst du immer den Teufel an die Wand malen?

Ein Bild der Verwüstung malen

— To describe a scene of great destruction.

Der Bericht malte ein Bild der Verwüstung nach dem Sturm.

Schön malen

— To paint beautifully or to sugarcoat a situation.

Wir dürfen die Situation nicht schön malen; sie ist ernst.

Mit Worten malen

— To describe something so vividly that it creates a mental image.

Die Dichterin konnte wunderbar mit Worten malen.

Ein düsteres Bild malen

— To present a gloomy or pessimistic view of something.

Die Experten malen ein düsteres Bild der Wirtschaft.

Großflächig malen

— To paint large areas, often in an abstract or mural style.

In diesem Kurs lernen wir, großflächig zu malen.

Often Confused With

malen vs mahlen

Means to grind (coffee, flour). Sounds identical but spelled with 'h'.

malen vs zeichnen

Means to draw (pencil, lines). Very common confusion for English speakers.

malen vs streichen

Means to paint (walls, large surfaces). Functional vs. artistic.

Idioms & Expressions

"Den Teufel an die Wand malen"

— To be overly pessimistic or to conjure up a disaster.

Mal nicht den Teufel an die Wand, es wird schon alles gut gehen.

informal/colloquial

"Schwarz malen"

— To see only the negative side of things.

Immer malst du schwarz, hab doch mal ein bisschen Hoffnung!

neutral

"Sich etwas in den schönsten Farben ausmalen"

— To imagine something in a very positive way.

Sie malte sich ihre Hochzeit in den schönsten Farben aus.

neutral

"Ganz der Vater/die Mutter wie gemalt sein"

— To look exactly like one's father or mother.

Der kleine Junge ist seinem Vater wie gemalt.

informal

"Dastehen wie gemalt"

— To look perfect or very beautiful in a specific spot.

Das Haus steht da in der Landschaft wie gemalt.

literary

"Den Pinsel aus der Hand legen"

— To stop painting, often used for the end of a career or life.

Nach fünfzig Jahren legte der Maler endgültig den Pinsel aus der Hand.

literary

"Sich (Dativ) etwas ausmalen"

— To picture something to oneself.

Ich kann mir die Folgen kaum ausmalen.

neutral

"Ein Bild der Hoffnung malen"

— To provide a reason for optimism.

Die Rede malte ein Bild der Hoffnung für das neue Jahr.

formal

"Frisch gemalt!"

— Wet paint! (Signage used to warn people).

Vorsicht, die Bank ist frisch gemalt!

neutral

"Wie gemalt aussehen"

— To look incredibly beautiful or perfect, like a painting.

Der Sonnenuntergang sah heute Abend wie gemalt aus.

neutral

Easily Confused

malen vs zeichnen

Both involve making pictures.

Malen uses color and brushes; zeichnen uses lines and pencils/pens.

Ich zeichne eine Skizze und male sie dann mit Ölfarben aus.

malen vs streichen

Both translate to 'paint' in English.

Streichen is for flat surfaces/walls; malen is for art or detailed work.

Ich streiche das Zimmer, aber ich male ein Bild für die Wand.

malen vs mahlen

Homophones (sound exactly the same).

Malen is for art; mahlen is for grinding grain or coffee.

Der Müller mahlt das Korn, während der Maler ein Bild malt.

malen vs lackieren

Both involve applying color/coating.

Lackieren is for industrial, shiny, or protective coats.

Er lackiert die Autotür, nachdem er ein Logo darauf gemalt hat.

malen vs färben

Both involve color.

Färben is to dye or change the color of a material (like hair or fabric).

Sie färbt ihre Haare rot und malt ein Bild mit roter Farbe.

Sentence Patterns

Ich male [Object].

Ich male eine Blume.

Ich habe [Object] gemalt.

Ich habe ein Haus gemalt.

Ich male mit [Instrument/Medium].

Ich male mit einem Pinsel.

Ich male, um zu [Verb].

Ich male, um mich zu entspannen.

Es lässt sich [Adverb] malen.

Es lässt sich schwer malen.

Malst du [Object]?

Malst du einen Hund?

Sich etwas ausmalen.

Ich male mir den Urlaub aus.

[Subject] kann gut malen.

Meine Schwester kann gut malen.

Word Family

Nouns

der Maler (painter)

die Malerin (female painter)

das Gemälde (painting/artwork)

die Malerei (painting as an art form)

das Malbuch (coloring book)

der Malstift (crayon/marker)

Verbs

ausmalen (to color in)

anmalen (to paint on)

bemalen (to decorate with paint)

abmalen (to copy by painting)

übermalen (to paint over)

Adjectives

malerisch (picturesque)

gemalt (painted)

unbemalt (unpainted)

die Farbe (color)

der Pinsel (brush)

die Leinwand (canvas)

die Palette (palette)

die Kunst (art)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in everyday language and art contexts.

Common Mistakes

Ich male mit einem Bleistift. → Ich zeichne mit einem Bleistift.
You cannot 'malen' with a pencil; that is always 'zeichnen'.
Ich habe den Kaffee gemalt. → Ich habe den Kaffee gemahlen.
You grind coffee (mahlen), you don't paint it (malen).
Ich male die Wand. → Ich streiche die Wand.
While 'malen' is understood, 'streichen' is the correct verb for large surfaces.
Ich male mich eine Zukunft. → Ich male mir eine Zukunft aus.
For imagining a future, you need the reflexive 'mir' and the prefix 'aus'.
Das Bild ist gut gezeichnet. → Das Bild ist gut gemalt.
If it's a painting with colors, use 'gemalt', not 'gezeichnet'.

Tips

Regular Conjugation

Don't overthink the conjugation. It follows the standard pattern for weak verbs perfectly.

Tools of the Trade

Learn 'der Pinsel' (brush) and 'die Farbe' (paint/color) along with 'malen' to complete your set.

House Painting

If you are painting your apartment, use 'streichen'. If you are painting a mural on the wall, use 'malen'.

The Devil Idiom

'Den Teufel an die Wand malen' is very common. Use it when someone is being too negative.

No 'H' for Art

Remember: 'Malen' is art, 'Mahlen' is for the mill. No 'h' when you're being creative!

Lines vs. Color

Lines = zeichnen. Color/Brush = malen. This is the golden rule for German art verbs.

Prefix Power

Adding 'be-' to 'malen' (bemalen) changes the focus to the object being covered in paint.

Imagination

Use 'sich etwas ausmalen' to sound more advanced when talking about your hopes or fears.

Art History

Germans are proud of their art history. Knowing 'malen' helps you discuss famous German painters.

Maler vs. Künstler

A 'Maler' can be a house painter, but a 'Künstler' is always an artist.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Maler' (painter) in a 'Mall' painting a giant mural. 'Malen' happens in the 'Mall'.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant paintbrush dripping with bright red paint, making a huge 'M' shape on a white wall.

Word Web

Pinsel Farbe Leinwand Kunst Bild Museum Künstler Rahmen

Challenge

Try to describe three things in your room that you would like to malen and what colors you would use.

Word Origin

From Middle High German 'mālen', and Old High German 'mālōn'. It is related to the word 'Mal' (mark or sign).

Original meaning: To mark, to draw, or to make signs.

Germanic.

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but be careful not to use 'anmalen' (to paint on) for people unless it's body art, as it can sound like you're treating them like an object.

In English, 'paint' covers both the artist and the house painter. In German, 'malen' is more for the artist, while 'streichen' is for the house.

Albrecht Dürer (famous German painter) Gerhard Richter (contemporary German artist) The 'Blaue Reiter' movement

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

School/Kindergarten

Hol die Farben raus.
Wir malen heute eine Sonne.
Pass auf deine Kleidung auf!
Wer möchte malen?

Art Gallery

Wer hat dieses Bild gemalt?
Es ist mit Öl gemalt.
Der Stil ist sehr modern.
Wann wurde es gemalt?

Home Renovation

Wir malen das Kinderzimmer blau.
Der Maler kommt morgen.
Brauchst du Hilfe beim Malen?
Welche Farbe nehmen wir?

Hobby/Free Time

Ich male zur Entspannung.
Hast du neue Pinsel gekauft?
Ich male nach einem Foto.
Das Malen macht mir Spaß.

Idiomatic/Metaphorical

Mal nicht den Teufel an die Wand.
Ich male mir das gerade aus.
Er malt alles schwarz.
Sie malt ein schönes Bild von ihm.

Conversation Starters

"Malst du gerne in deiner Freizeit oder zeichnest du lieber?"

"Was war das letzte Bild, das du gemalt hast?"

"Welche Farben benutzt du am liebsten, wenn du malst?"

"Findest du, dass man Talent braucht, um gut zu malen?"

"Hast du schon mal ein Zimmer in deiner Wohnung selbst gemalt?"

Journal Prompts

Beschreibe ein Bild, das du gerne malen würdest, wenn du ein berühmter Künstler wärst.

Warum ist Malen eine gute Aktivität für Kinder und Erwachsene?

Stell dir vor, du könntest deine Zukunft malen. Welche Farben und Motive würdest du wählen?

Erinnere dich an ein Bild, das du als Kind gemalt hast. Was war darauf zu sehen?

Wie fühlst du dich, wenn du dich kreativ betätigst, zum Beispiel beim Malen?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Mostly, yes. While it can be used for painting a wall in casual speech, 'streichen' is the correct technical term. 'Malen' implies more detail or the use of creative colors.

'Malen' is the general act of painting. 'Ausmalen' means to fill in a shape with color, like in a coloring book.

No, that is 'zeichnen'. Using 'malen' for a pencil drawing is a common mistake for learners.

Yes, it can be. 'Ein gemaltes Porträt' means 'a painted portrait'.

You wouldn't use 'malen'. You would say 'um die Häuser ziehen' or 'auf die Pauke hauen'.

It is a reflexive idiom meaning 'to imagine something' or 'to visualize a situation'.

It is a weak (regular) verb. Its forms are malen-malte-gemalt.

It is a master painter, usually referring to someone who leads a professional house-painting business.

Yes, it is commonly used for digital painting on tablets or computers.

It refers to finger painting, a popular activity for young children.