stolpern
Translation
to stumble, to trip
Examples
Er stolpert über einen Stein.
He stumbles over a stone.
Sie stolpert über ein schwieriges Wort.
She stumbles over a difficult word.
Grammar Patterns
((über+4)) to stumble over sth. He stumbles over his own feet.
Similar Words
Synonyms: straucheln (to falter); Antonyms: sicher gehen (to walk steadily)
Etymology
From Middle High German 'stolpern', possibly related to 'Stoppel' (stubble), something one might trip over.
Memory Tips
Imagine you 'stop' suddenly because you hit a 'stone' and 'trip' over it. 'Stolpern' sounds a bit like 'stumble'.