to nudge
anstupsen – stupste an – hat angestupst
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to nudge
To lightly push someone or something with your hand, finger, or another part of your body, often to get their attention.
Sie stupste mich mit dem Ellenbogen an, damit ich endlich zuhörte.
She nudged me with her elbow so that I would finally listen.
to nudge
Colloquial: To get someone to do something through a small hint or bit of encouragement.
Du musst ihn gelegentlich anstupsen, sonst kümmert er sich nicht um seine Bewerbungen.
You have to nudge him from time to time, otherwise he won't take care of his job applications.
| ich | stupse an |
|---|---|
| du | stupst an |
| er/sie/es | stupst an |
| wir | stupsen an |
| ihr | stupst an |
| sie | stupsen an |
| ich | stupste an |
|---|---|
| du | stupstest an |
| er/sie/es | stupste an |
| wir | stupsten an |
| ihr | stupstet an |
| sie | stupsten an |
| ich | habe angestupst |
|---|---|
| du | hast angestupst |
| er/sie/es | hat angestupst |
| wir | haben angestupst |
| ihr | habt angestupst |
| sie | haben angestupst |
| du | stups an! stupse an! |
|---|---|
| ihr | stupst an! |
| Sie | stupsen Sie an! |
| ich | hatte angestupst |
|---|---|
| du | hattest angestupst |
| er/sie/es | hatte angestupst |
| wir | hatten angestupst |
| ihr | hattet angestupst |
| sie | hatten angestupst |
| ich | werde anstupsen |
|---|---|
| du | wirst anstupsen |
| er/sie/es | wird anstupsen |
| wir | werden anstupsen |
| ihr | werdet anstupsen |
| sie | werden anstupsen |
| ich | stupse an |
|---|---|
| du | stupsest an |
| er/sie/es | stupse an |
| wir | stupsen an |
| ihr | stupset an |
| sie | stupsen an |
Used for reported speech.
| ich | stupste an |
|---|---|
| du | stupstest an |
| er/sie/es | stupste an |
| wir | stupsten an |
| ihr | stupstet an |
| sie | stupsten an |
Used for wishes and “would”.
| infinitive | anstupsen |
|---|---|
| with zu | anzustupsen |
| present participle | anstupsend |
| past participle | angestupst |
'Anstupsen' (to nudge) is a separable verb made up of 'an' and 'stupsen'. In a main clause, 'an' comes at the end of the sentence; in a subordinate clause and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together, or 'zu' is placed between the prefix and the verb.
Er stupste seine Schwester vorsichtig an.
He carefully nudged his sister.
Sie blieb still, obwohl er sie mehrmals anstupste.
She remained quiet even though he nudged her several times.
Ich versuchte, ihn zu einem Gespräch anzustupsen.
I tried to nudge him into having a conversation.
In 'anstupsen' (to nudge), the prefix 'an' indicates that the movement is directed at a specific person or thing. That is why the person affected usually appears as an accusative object.
Der Junge stupste seinen Freund an.
The boy nudged his friend.
Sie stupste mich an, weil sie eine Frage hatte.
She nudged me because she had a question.
In its literal meaning, 'anstupsen' (to nudge) is often associated with body parts or small movements. Typical expressions include 'mit dem Finger' (with one's finger), 'mit dem Ellenbogen' (with one's elbow), or 'vorsichtig' (carefully).
Er stupste mich mit dem Finger an der Schulter an.
He nudged me on the shoulder with his finger.
Der Hund stupste meine Hand vorsichtig an.
The dog carefully nudged my hand.
In its figurative meaning, 'anstupsen' (to nudge) is colloquial and usually describes a small bit of encouragement or a reminder. It is often followed by an infinitive with 'zu' or the construction 'jemanden dazu anstupsen, etwas zu tun' (to nudge someone to do something).
Die Erinnerung soll ihn dazu anstupsen, endlich anzurufen.
The reminder is meant to nudge him to finally call.
Ich stupste sie an, den Antrag noch heute abzuschicken.
I nudged her to send off the application today.
