bemalt

Bemalt is a German term that functions as both an adjective and the past participle of the verb bemalen, meaning to apply paint to a surface or to decorate with paint. It is used to describe objects or surfaces that have received paint or decorative painting.

As a past participle, bemalt forms part of complete verb forms with auxiliary haben. For example: Er hat die Wand bemalt. In the present tense, or in passive contexts, it can appear as a predicative adjective: Die Decke ist bemalt. When used attributively to modify a noun, the form inflects for gender, number, and case, as in eine bemalte Wand (a painted wall) or die bemalten Wände (the painted walls). The participle also appears in compound constructions and in descriptions of artwork or crafted objects.

Etymology and related forms: bemalt is derived from malen (to paint) with the prefix be-, which in German commonly adds a sense of applying or affecting the object. Related nouns include die Bemalung (the painting or decoration on a surface) and der Bemaler, a person who performs painting decoration (more commonly, Maler with a specialization).

Usage context: bemalt commonly appears in art, architecture, interior design, and furniture description to indicate that a surface has been decorated with paint or mural work. It contrasts with other terms such as verziert (ornamented) or gemalt (painted in a broader sense, often with depicted imagery). The exact nuance depends on context, but bemalt emphasizes painted surfaces and decorative painting.