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stopfen

to darn, to mend (socks or fabric)

verb SHTOP-fen Rare

Also means

to stuff

Usage Note

stopfen in a textile context means to darn — repairing a hole in socks or knitwear by weaving thread across it. Socken stopfen (darn socks) is a traditional craft skill increasingly rare today. Stopfen also means 'to stuff' in cooking or filling contexts.

Examples

"Ihre Oma brachte ihr bei, Socken zu stopfen, anstatt sie wegzuwerfen."

Natural Translation

Her grandmother taught her to darn socks instead of throwing them away.

Literal Translation

Her grandmother brought to her along to socks to darn instead of them to throw-away.

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