verb
stopfen
darn
Etwas eng und fest in eine Öffnung oder einen Behälter drücken, bis kein Platz mehr übrig ist.
Definition & meaning
The verb stopfen has several meanings depending on the context:
- To stuff or cram: To push something into a confined space or to fill a container completely. For example, stuffing clothes into a suitcase or stuffing a turkey.
- To darn: To mend a hole in fabric (typically socks or knitwear) by interweaving thread back and forth.
- To plug or block: To close an opening or a pipe, preventing anything from passing through.
- To cause constipation: In a medical or dietary sense, certain foods (like chocolate or bananas) are said to "stopfen" the digestive system, making bowel movements difficult.
Grammar & Word origin
- Grammar: It is a weak verb. The conjugation follows the standard pattern: stopfen (infinitive), stopfte (past), hat gestopft (perfect). It is typically used as a transitive verb.
- Word origin: It derives from the Middle High German word stopfen, which is related to the Vulgar Latin stuppare (to plug with tow/fiber), ultimately originating from the Latin stuppa (coarse flax or hemp used for caulking).
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- For stuffing: füllen, vollstopfen, hineinzwängen.
- For darning: ausbessern, flicken.
- For blocking: verstopfen, abdichten.
Antonyms:
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Examples
Er stopft das Loch im Pulli.verb
He darns the hole in the sweater.
Du musst deine Socken stopfen, sie haben Löcher.verb
You have to darn your socks, they have holes.
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