zapfen
Translation
to tap, to draw (beer), to extract
Examples
Er zapft ein Bier vom Fass.
He is drawing a beer from the tap.
Die Krankenschwester muss Blut zapfen.
The nurse has to draw blood.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) ((from sth.)) to tap sth. from sth. He taps beer from the keg.
((sth.)) to draw sth. The nurse draws blood.
Similar Words
Synonyms: abfüllen (to bottle), entnehmen (to extract).
Etymology
Derived from Old High German 'zapfo' meaning 'plug' or 'spigot', which is a cognate of the English word 'tap'.
Memory Tips
Think of 'zapping' a keg with a tap to get the beer out. 'Zapfen' is what you do with a 'Zapfhahn' (tap).