das  Stechen

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃtɛçən/

💉 What exactly does "das Stechen" mean?

"Das Stechen" is a nominalized verb (from the verb stechen: to sting, prick, stab). It primarily describes a type of pain or an unpleasant sensation, often perceived as sharp, piercing, or stabbing.

• Medical/Physical: Refers to a sudden, often localized pain. Very common is das Seitenstechen (side stitch) when running. It can also describe a stinging or pricking pain in the chest (Stechen in der Brust), back (Stechen im Rücken), or other body parts.
• Figurative: Less commonly, it can suggest emotional pain or hurt (e.g., “ein Stechen im Herzen spüren” - to feel a pang in the heart), although "der Stich" is often preferred here.

🚨 Since it's a nominalization of the infinitive, the article is always das. There's no risk of confusion with other articles for this specific noun.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of "das Stechen" in Detail

"Das Stechen" is a noun derived from the infinitive of the verb stechen (a process called nominalization). Such nominalized infinitives in German are always neuter (sächlich) and thus take the article das.

It is mostly used in the singular, as it often describes a specific sensation. The plural ("die Stechen") is grammatically possible but very rare and would denote repeated or various stinging pains.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural (rare)

Example Sentences

1. Beim schnellen Laufen bekam ich plötzlich starkes Stechen in der Seite. (While running fast, I suddenly got a strong stitch in my side.)
2. Der Arzt fragte nach einem Stechen in der Brust. (The doctor asked about a stinging pain in the chest.)
3. Sie verspürte ein leichtes Stechen am Finger nach dem Nadelstich. (She felt a slight pricking sensation on her finger after the needle prick.)
4. Das Stechen im Rücken wurde nach der Behandlung besser. (The stabbing pain in the back got better after the treatment.)

🏃‍♀️ When and how to use "das Stechen"?

"Das Stechen" is primarily used to describe physical pain sensations:

• In everyday life: Often in connection with sports (Seitenstechen - side stitch) or sudden, unexplained pains ("Ich habe so ein komisches Stechen im Knie." - I have a strange stinging/pricking pain in my knee.).
• At the doctor's: To describe symptoms ("Das Stechen tritt vor allem beim Atmen auf." - The stinging pain mainly occurs when breathing.).
• Distinction from "der Stich": While "das Stechen" tends to describe the ongoing sensation or the pain itself, "der Stich" often refers to the act of stinging/pricking (e.g., Mückenstich - mosquito bite, Messerstich - stab wound) or a very brief, intense moment of pain. However, the meanings can sometimes overlap.

Context is key: The specific nature of the "Stechen" usually becomes clear from the context (e.g., "Stechen in der Brust" - pain in the chest vs. "Seitenstechen" - side stitch).

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Stechen"

For the article 'das': Think of infinitives becoming nouns (like Stechen from stechen). These '-en' nouns derived from verbs almost always take 'das'. Imagine the verb 'doing' something neutral: das Stechen (the stinging), das Laufen (the running), das Essen (the eating).

For the meaning: Imagine the *st*ing of a bee or the *st*itch you get when running. That sharp pain is das Stechen.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words:

• Der Stich: As mentioned above, often the act of stinging/stabbing or the result (wound, bite). Article is 'der'.
• Stechend (adjective): Stinging, piercing, sharp (describes something that stings, e.g., stechender Schmerz - stinging pain, stechender Blick - piercing gaze).

😂 A Little Joke

DE: Patient: "Herr Doktor, ich habe beim Kaffeetrinken immer so ein Stechen im Auge!"
Doktor: "Haben Sie schon mal versucht, den Löffel aus der Tasse zu nehmen?"

EN: Patient: "Doctor, whenever I drink coffee, I get this sharp pain in my eye!"
Doctor: "Have you tried taking the spoon out of the cup?"

✍️ Poem about "das Stechen"

DE:
Ein Läufer rennt, die Luft wird knapp,
Da kommt's ganz plötzlich, Trab für Trab.
Ein fieses Zwicken in der Seit',
Das Stechen macht sich wieder breit.
Es zwickt, es piekst, es tut gemein weh,
Man wünscht sich fast, man läg' im Schnee.
Doch kurz pausiert, tief Luft geholt,
Ist dieser Schmerz bald überholt.

EN:
A runner runs, the air gets tight,
It comes quite sudden, with all might.
A nasty pinch deep in the side,
The stitch begins to spread out wide.
It pinches, pricks, it hurts so mean,
You wish you were in a snowy scene.
But pause a bit, take breaths so deep,
This pain will soon be put to sleep.

❓ Riddle

DE:
Ich bin kein Messer, doch ich kann piksen,
Beim Sport oft da, um dich zu fixen.
Mal in der Seite, mal im Rücken,
Kann Läufern oft den Tag verrücken.

Was bin ich? (... Das Stechen)

EN:
I'm not a knife, but I can prick,
Often show up during sports, quite quick.
Sometimes the side, sometimes the back,
I put runners right off their track.

What am I?
(... Das Stechen / A stitch / stinging pain)

💡 Other Information

Word Composition:

• "Das Stechen" is a direct nominalization of the verb "stechen" (to sting/prick).
• Common compound word: Das Seitenstechen (side stitch, literally 'side stinging').

Trivia:

• The exact cause of side stitches (Seitenstechen) is not fully understood scientifically. Theories range from diaphragm spasms to irritation of the peritoneum.
• In English, "das Stechen" is often translated as "a stitch" (especially for side stitches), "a stinging pain", or "a pricking sensation".