stecken
Translation
to put, to stick, to be (located), to be stuck
Examples
Er steckt den Schlüssel ins Schloss.
He puts the key in the lock.
Ich stecke in Schwierigkeiten.
I am in trouble.
Wo steckt denn mein Handy?
Where on earth is my phone?
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) ((in sth.)) to put sth. in sth. He puts the key in the lock.
((in sth.)) to be in/stuck in sth. I am in trouble.
Similar Words
Synonyms: hineintun, legen; Antonyms: herausziehen
Etymology
From Old High German 'steckan' (to stick, pierce). Cognate with English 'stick'.
Memory Tips
Think of 'sticking' a key into a lock. It can also mean to be 'stuck' in a situation.