stehlen

to steal

verb SHTEY-len Rare

Usage Note

stehlen is a strong verb (stahl, gestohlen); the legal offence is Diebstahl (§242 StGB). The idiomatic jemandem die Zeit stehlen (to waste someone's time) is very common in everyday speech.

Examples

"Der Jugendliche hatte in mehreren Geschäften Waren gestohlen."

Natural Translation

The young person had stolen goods from several shops.

Literal Translation

The youth had in several shops goods stolen.

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