stocheren
Translation
to poke, to prod, to pick at (food), to stoke (a fire)
Examples
Er stocherte mit einem Stock im Feuer.
He poked the fire with a stick.
Sie stocherte lustlos in ihrem Essen.
She picked listlessly at her food.
Der Zahnarzt stocherte in meinem Zahn.
The dentist poked around in my tooth.
Grammar Patterns
((in sth.dat)) to poke in sth. Er stocherte in der Asche.
((with sth.dat)) ((in sth.dat)) to poke in sth. with sth. Sie stocherte mit der Gabel in ihrem Essen.
Similar Words
Synonyms: stechen, bohren, pulen
Etymology
Likely related to 'stechen' (to sting, pierce) and 'Stock' (stick), suggesting an action done with a pointed object.
Memory Tips
Think of using a 'Stock' (stick) to 'stochern' (poke). The sound of the word itself sounds a bit like the action.