der  Prügel

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈpʁyːɡl̩/

👊 What does 'der Prügel' mean?

The word der Prügel (masculine noun) primarily refers to a beating, thrashing, or spanking (physical punishment or violence). It's often used in the plural: die Prügel.

• Meaning 1: A beating, physical punishment, or an act of violence involving hitting. (e.g., Prügel bekommen - to get a beating, Prügel austeilen - to give a beating)
• Meaning 2 (less common): A thick stick or cudgel used for hitting. This meaning is less frequent today compared to the first one.

⚠️ Caution: The word carries a distinctly negative connotation and describes physical violence.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of 'der Prügel' in Detail

'Prügel' is a masculine noun. Here are the declension tables:

Example Sentences

1. Nach der Schlägerei bezog er ordentlich Prügel.
   (After the brawl, he got a proper beating.)
2. Früher war die Androhung von Prügel als Strafe in Schulen leider üblich.
   (Unfortunately, the threat of a beating as punishment used to be common in schools.)
3. Die Polizei musste eingreifen, um die Prügel zwischen den Fangruppen zu beenden.
   (The police had to intervene to stop the fighting between the fan groups.)
4. Er drohte ihm mit dem Prügel in seiner Hand.
   (He threatened him with the cudgel in his hand - rarer meaning.)

🗣️ How to use 'Prügel'?

'Prügel' is mostly used in the context of physical violence or altercations.

• Typical phrases: Prügel bekommen/kriegen/beziehen (to get a beating), Prügel austeilen/verteilen (to give a beating), eine Tracht Prügel (a sound thrashing).
• Context: Often found in reports about fights, brawls, sometimes in the historical context of corporal punishment (e.g., in education).
• Comparison: 'Schläge' is a more general term for hits or blows. 'Prügel' often implies a more severe, prolonged, or serious confrontation or punishment. It sounds harsher and more brutal than just 'Schläge'.
• Figurative use: Sometimes used metaphorically when someone receives harsh criticism or suffers a major setback: "Er hat bei der Präsentation ordentlich Prügel bezogen." (He took a real beating during the presentation.)

🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Prügel'

Article Mnemonic: Think of DER strong man (masculine) dealing out a 'Prügel' (beating). The harsh action feels masculine -> der Prügel.

Meaning Mnemonic: 'Prügel' sounds a bit like the English word 'brutal'. Imagine a brutal scene, and you'll think of 'Prügel' (a beating).

↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words (Potential Confusion):

• Knüppel (der): club, cudgel, truncheon. Can be used to administer Prügel, but isn't the act itself.
• Riegel (der): bolt, latch (for a door). Sounds similar but is unrelated.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Boxer keine Prügel mit in den Ring? – Weil sie lieber austeilen als einstecken!

(Why don't boxers take Prügel (beatings/cudgels) into the ring? – Because they prefer to dish it out rather than take it!)

📜 Poem about Prügel

Der Zank entbrannte, Wort auf Wort,
Man drohte laut am falschen Ort.
Dann flogen Fäuste, schnell und viel,
Am Ende gab's für manchen Prügel.

(The quarrel ignited, word upon word,
Threats were shouted, wrongly heard.
Then fists flew fast, a violent game,
In the end, for many, beatings came.)

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich bin männlich, doch kein Mann,
man teilt mich aus, so gut man kann.
Man kriegt mich ungern, das ist klar,
manchmal im Streit, im Zorn sogar.

Was bin ich? (Auflösung: der Prügel)

(I am masculine, but not a man,
I'm dealt out, as best one can.
You don't like getting me, that's clear,
Sometimes in anger, fight, or fear.

What am I?
Answer: der Prügel)

💡 Other Information about 'der Prügel'

Etymology: The word 'Prügel' is closely related to the verb 'prügeln', meaning 'to beat' or 'to thrash'. It belongs to a word family that existed back in Middle High German.

Idioms (Redewendungen):

• Jemandem Prügel androhen: To threaten someone with a beating.
• Prügel beziehen/kassieren: To get a beating, to receive a thrashing.
• Sich um etwas prügeln: To fight fiercely over something (often physically).