German word

einstecken

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈaɪ̯nˌʃtɛkən/

Meaning

  • verbplug in

Example

Ich stecke den Stecker in die Steckdose ein.

I am plugging the plug into the outlet.

Illustration for einstecken (plug in)

More examples

Der Boxer steckte mehrere Schläge ein.

The boxer took several punches.

Core concept

Something moves through an opening and stays inside, while an unpleasant impact is taken in and borne rather than pushed away.

Common phrases

  • das Ladekabel einstecken

    plug in the charging cable

  • einen Schlag einstecken

    take a punch

  • etwas heimlich in die Jackentasche einstecken

    slip something secretly into one's jacket pocket

Similar words

stecken: Placing a slender object into a narrow opening so it stays there.
einlegen: Inserting a disk, card, or banknote into a machine to make it usable.
anschließen: Linking a device or cable to a terminal so the device works.
wegstecken: Taking criticism or a blow without openly reacting.

Definition in German

körperlich etwas in eine Öffnung stecken; übertragen: einen Schaden, eine Beleidigung oder eine Niederlage hinnehmen

Word origin

Einstecken combines the separable prefix ein- with the inherited Germanic verb stecken, and its physical sense of putting something in supports the figurative sense of bearing a loss or insult.

Usage tips

  • As a separable verb, einstecken places ein at the end of a finite main clause, as in Ich stecke den Stecker ein.

Other meanings

  • put in one's pocketverb
  • put up withverb

Opposites

  • aussteckenunplugverb

Related words

  • Einsteckplatzinsertion slotnoun

Word lists with this word