knacken
Translation
to crack, to pop, to click, to break into
Examples
Er kann Nüsse mit den Zähnen knacken.
He can crack nuts with his teeth.
Mein Knie knackt beim Treppensteigen.
My knee pops when climbing stairs.
Die Diebe versuchten, den Safe zu knacken.
The thieves tried to crack the safe.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to crack sth. He cracks a nut.
Similar Words
Synonyms: brechen (to break), aufbrechen (to break open)
Etymology
Onomatopoeic, imitating the sharp sound of something breaking.
Memory Tips
The word 'knacken' sounds like the 'crack' or 'pop' it describes. Imagine cracking a nut.