zupfen
pluck
Mit den Fingern oder mit einem kleinen Werkzeug kurz an etwas ziehen, oft an einzelnen Teilen wie Saiten, Haaren oder Blättern.
Meaning (in English)
zupfen means to pluck, to pick at, or to tug/pull in small motions, usually with fingers or a small tool. It often implies a light, repeated pulling rather than one strong pull.
Common uses:
- to pluck hair/eyebrows: Augenbrauen zupfen
- to pluck strings of an instrument: eine Saite zupfen
- to pick/tug at something (often nervously or absentmindedly): am Ärmel zupfen
Parts / Word structure
- Root: zupf- (related to the idea of pulling/plucking)
- Infinitive ending: -en
- Related noun: das Zupfen (the act of plucking/picking)
German synonyms
Depending on context:
- pflücken (pluck/pick, especially flowers/fruit; less about small repeated tugs)
- rupfen (pluck/tear out more forcefully; e.g., feathers, hair)
- ziehen (pull; more general)
- zerren (tug/drag; stronger/rougher)
- an etwas herumzupfen: nesteln (to fidget/pick at)
German antonyms (where applicable)
No perfect one-word opposite in all contexts, but possible opposites by meaning:
- (stop pulling/tugging) loslassen (let go)
- (smooth instead of picking) glattstreichen (smooth out)
- (handle gently instead of plucking at) streicheln (stroke/caress)
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Examples
Sie zupft eine Saite der Gitarre.verb
She plucks a string of the guitar.
Franz zupfte vorsichtig an seinem Instrument.verb
Franz plucked carefully at his instrument.
Warum zupfst du ständig an deinem Ärmel, wenn du nervös bist?verb
Why do you keep plucking at your sleeve when you are nervous?
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