knallen

Knallen is a verb used in both Dutch and German to describe the action of producing a loud, sharp noise, typically a bang from an explosion, a firearm, or a sudden impact. The word is onomatopoeic, imitating the sound it denotes. The related nouns knal (Dutch) and Knall (German) name the sound itself.

In German, knallen is used to refer to loud bangs from fireworks, artillery, or other discharges: Es knallt (there’s a bang) or Die Waffe knallt (the weapon fires). The verb can also appear in informal expressions to emphasize abruptness or forcefulness in events, though this usage is more common in spoken language.

In Dutch, knallen likewise describes loud noises from explosions or firearms: De knallen van het vuurwerk waren goed te horen. It is also used in informal speech to convey that something happens with energy or impact, though the sense is more regionally and contextually variable and tends toward describing noticeable force or intensity.

Etymology and cognates: The term is of Germanic origin and is closely related to the Dutch knal and the German Knall, both onomatopoeic, reflecting the characteristic sharp sound they denote.

See also: Knal, Knall, explosion, gunfire.