stauen
Translation
to dam up, to cause a jam, to accumulate
Examples
Der Verkehr staut sich auf der Autobahn.
The traffic is jamming up on the motorway.
Das Wasser staut sich hinter dem Damm.
The water is damming up behind the dam.
Grammar Patterns
sich stauen ((on+loc)) to jam up (on sth.) The traffic is jamming up on the bridge.
((sth.)) stauen to dam up (sth.) The beaver dams up the river.
Similar Words
Synonyms: to block, to dam up; Antonym: to flow (fließen)
Etymology
Related to 'stehen' (to stand). It describes a state where things are standing still.
Memory Tips
Think of cars 'standing' still in a 'Stau' (traffic jam).