stutzen

to trim (hair, beard, hedges)

verb SHTUT-sen Rare

Also means

to be taken aback

Usage Note

stutzen means neatly shortening or tidying something by cutting: den Bart stutzen (to trim the beard), die Nägel stutzen (to trim the nails). The same verb coincidentally means to hesitate in surprise — a completely separate meaning.

Examples

"Er stutzt seinen Schnurrbart jede Woche, damit er gepflegt aussieht."

Natural Translation

He trims his moustache every week so that it looks neat.

Literal Translation

He trims his moustache every week, so-that it groomed looks.

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