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stoppen
/ˈʃtɔpən/
to stop
Der Zug muss hier stoppen.
The train has to stop here.
general
to stop moving, operating, or functioning
Der Motor stoppte plötzlich.
The engine stopped suddenly.
Common in both everyday and technical contexts.
general
to stop someone or something from doing something
Sie versuchte, ihn zu stoppen.
She tried to stop him.
Collocations
den Verkehr stoppento stop trafficdie Produktion stoppento halt productionjemanden stoppento stop someone
Antonyms
Pro Tip
Common Mistakes
Avoid using 'stoppen' as a direct translation for 'stop' in all contexts. For example, 'stop the car' is better translated as 'halte das Auto an' in German, though 'stoppe das Auto' is also understood.
Gold Rule
When to Use 'stoppen'
'Stoppen' is most natural when referring to machines, vehicles, or processes stopping abruptly or being brought to a halt. It is less common for abstract or figurative stops (e.g., 'stop talking' is typically 'aufhören zu reden').
Word Origin
From Middle High German *stoppfen* ('to stuff, stop up'), from Old High German *stophōn* ('to stop up'), ultimately from Proto-Germanic *stuppōną* ('to stuff'). Related to English 'stop' (borrowed from Old English).
Usage Notes
In German, 'stoppen' is often interchangeable with 'anhalten' in everyday speech, though 'anhalten' may imply a more deliberate or temporary stop. 'Stoppen' can also imply a sudden or complete halt.
Word Breakdown
stop-
root related to stopping or halting
root-pen
verb suffix (infinitive ending)
suffixDeutsch-Englisch Wörterbuch