knallt

Knallt is the third-person singular present tense form of the German verb knallen, meaning to bang, to explode, or to crash with a sharp sound. The term is onomatopoeic, capturing a sudden, loud noise produced by impact, rupture, or rapid closure. It is widely used in everyday language as well as in media coverage of events such as gunfire, crashes, or fireworks.

Usage

Knallen can be used intransitively as in "Es knallt" to indicate that a bang or explosion occurs. It is also commonly used transitively, for example "Die Tür knallt zu" meaning the door slams shut, or "Der Wagen knallt gegen die Mauer" describing a vehicle colliding with a wall. In colloquial contexts, knallen conveys an emphasized or forceful sound and can carry a dynamic or aggressive tone, contrasting with more neutral verbs like krachen or platzen in certain contexts.

Grammar and forms

Conjugation (present): ich knalle, du knallst, er/sie/es knallt, wir knallen, ihr knallt, sie knallen. Simple past: knallte. Perfect: hat geknallt. The noun form is Knall, meaning a bang or explosion, and is used to refer to the sound itself.

Usage notes

The verb knallen is informal and often associated with vivid, energetic descriptions. In formal writing, alternative terms such as krachen, platzen, or schlagen may be preferred depending on context. The form knallt specifically appears on the surface as the present tense for the third-person singular.

See also

Knall (noun), Knaller, Krachen, Lärm.