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verb

tutzeln

to cuddle

Definition & meaning

The verb tutzeln is a regional term, primarily used in parts of Southern Germany and Austria (Bavaria/Austria). It generally has two main connotations:

  1. To work slowly, inefficiently, or in a fiddly manner. It describes someone who spends an excessive amount of time on small, unimportant details without making real progress.
  2. To eat in a very slow, picky, or hesitant way, often used to describe children who are not finishing their meal or are playing with their food.

Grammar & Word origin

  • Grammar: It is a weak verb. Its conjugation follows the standard pattern: ich tutzele, du tutzelst, er/sie/es tutzelt, ich tutzelte, ich habe getutzelt.
  • Origin: The word is likely onomatopoeic or derived from regional dialects (Bairisch) describing repetitive, small, or sluggish movements. It is colloquial and considered informal.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

  • trödeln (to dawdle or waste time)
  • fummeln (to fiddle with something)
  • herumwerkeln (to tinker aimlessly)
  • mäkeln (to be picky, specifically regarding food)

Antonyms:

  • spurten (to sprint or move quickly)
  • durchziehen (to complete something efficiently without stopping)
  • hineinschlingen (to gobble up food quickly)

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Examples

Gestern tutzelte die Oma ihre Enkelkinder liebevoll.verb

Yesterday, the grandmother cuddled her grandchildren lovingly.

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