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stammeln

to stammer

verb SHTAM-meln Less Common

Also means

to falter in speech

Usage Note

stammeln means to speak haltingly and incompletely, usually from emotion or confusion: eine Entschuldigung stammeln. It emphasises broken, fragmentary words rather than the sound repetition of stottern. Often paired with embarrassment or shock.

Examples

"Sie stammelte nur ein paar verlegene Worte."

Natural Translation

She only stammered a few embarrassed words.

Literal Translation

She stammered only a few embarrassed words.

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