German word

Stich

Pronunciation

IPA/ʃtɪç/

Meaning

  • masculine nounstitch

Example

Nach dem Laufen hatte ich einen Stich in der Seite.

After running, I had a stitch in my side.

Illustration for Stich (stitch)

More examples

Beim Treppensteigen bekam er einen Stich im Bauch.

While climbing the stairs, he felt a stitch in his abdomen.

Core concept

One brief prick that can mark skin, fabric, or the body as a localized pain.

Common phrases

  • einen Stich in der Seite

    a stitch in the side

  • einen stechenden Stich spüren

    feel a stabbing stitch

  • ein Stich unter den Rippen

    a stitch under the ribs

Similar words

Schmerz: An unpleasant physical feeling ranging from mild discomfort to severe agony.
Seitenstechen: A sudden, sharp side pain brought on by running or other strenuous activity.
Nadelstich: A sharp, localized pain from a needle piercing the skin.
Naht: A sewn line joining two pieces of fabric or leather.

Definition in German

Punktueller, meist plötzlicher Schmerz, der wie ein kleiner Einstich wirkt; außerdem Bezeichnung für eine einzelne Naht oder Einstichstelle.

Word origin

The noun Stich comes from the Germanic verb stechen and preserves its basic idea of a short piercing action in meanings such as stab, stitch, and sting.

Usage tips

  • For sewing, Stich means an individual stitch, while Naht means a seam, so the two nouns are not interchangeable.

Other meanings

  • stabnoun
  • stingnoun

Opposites

  • Linderungalleviationnoun
  • Schmerzfreiheitpainlessnessnoun

Related words

  • Stichprobesample surveynoun
  • Stichwortkey termnoun
  • stichhaltigsoundadjective

Word lists with this word