stolpern
Translation
to stumble, to trip
Examples
Ich bin über einen Stein gestolpert.
I stumbled over a stone.
Er stolperte über seine eigenen Worte.
He stumbled over his own words.
Grammar Patterns
((über+4)) to stumble over (sth.) I stumbled over the edge of the carpet.
Similar Words
Synonyms: straucheln (to falter), hinfallen (to fall down)
Etymology
From Middle High German 'stolpern', related to 'stump'. The 'st-' sound often implies a halt or obstacle.
Memory Tips
Imagine you 'stop' abruptly because you 'stumble' over something. The sound is similar to the English 'stumble'.