an|stecken
Translation
to infect, to light, to pin on, to contaminate
Examples
Er hat mich mit seiner Erkältung angesteckt.
He infected me with his cold.
Sie steckt sich eine Zigarette an.
She is lighting a cigarette.
Er steckt sich eine Blume an den Hut.
He is pinning a flower to his hat.
Grammar Patterns
((j-n)) ((mit et3)) to infect (sb.) with (sth.) He infected me with the flu.
((sich)) ((et4)) to light (sth.) for oneself She is lighting a cigarette.
((sich)) ((et4)) ((an+4)) to pin (sth.) on oneself He is pinning the brooch to his coat.
Similar Words
Synonyms: infizieren, übertragen; Antonyms: heilen
Etymology
From 'an-' (on, onto) + 'stecken' (to stick, put). Literally 'to stick something onto someone'.
Memory Tips
Imagine a virus 'sticking on' to you to infect you, or 'sticking' a pin onto a jacket.