verb
pellen
peel
Definition & meaning
The verb pellen primarily refers to the act of removing the outer layer or skin from something. It is most commonly used in the context of food.
- To peel/skin: To remove the skin of fruits, vegetables, or boiled eggs. For example, "eine Kartoffel pellen" (to peel a boiled potato) or "ein Ei pellen" (to peel an egg).
- Colloquial (to shed): It can also refer to a person shedding or peeling skin, for instance after a bad sunburn.
- Slang (to undress): In some regional contexts, it is used colloquially to mean taking off one's clothes, similar to "sich ausziehen".
Grammar & Word origin
- Grammar: pellen is a weak verb. Its forms are: pellt (present), pellte (past), and gepellt (perfect). It is typically used transitively (taking an accusative object).
- Word origin: The word stems from the Middle High German pellen or pellenen, which is derived from the Latin pellis, meaning "skin" or "hide".
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
- schälen (the most common synonym for peeling fruits or vegetables)
- abziehen (to pull or strip off)
- enthäuten (to skin, usually referring to meat or animals)
- pellen (itself)
Antonyms
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Examples
Marie musste die Banane sorgfältig pellen.verb
Marie had to carefully peel the banana.
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