to nibble
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nibble
To bite off small pieces of something hard with the teeth, often with an audible sound. Typical of rodents or eating snacks such as nuts or pretzel sticks.
Das Kaninchen knabbert genüsslich an einer Karotte.
The rabbit is happily nibbling on a carrot.
In both meanings, 'knabbern' (to nibble) is used with the preposition 'an' and the dative. The object being nibbled on is always in the dative.
Das Eichhörnchen knabbert an einem Tannenzapfen.
The squirrel is nibbling on a pine cone.
The figurative meaning is used almost exclusively in the fixed expression 'an etwas zu knabbern haben' (to struggle with something). The conjugated verb here is 'haben' (to have).
Er hat an der Trennung immer noch schwer zu knabbern.
He is still struggling badly with the breakup.
You can recognize the literal meaning from concrete objects, often foods (nuts, carrots) or fingernails. You can recognize the figurative meaning from abstract nouns (problem, defeat, criticism) and the fixed expression with 'haben' (to have).
Mein Sohn knabbert oft gedankenverloren an seinem Stift.
My son often nibbles absentmindedly on his pen.
'Knabbern' (to nibble) is an onomatopoeic word. It imitates the sound made when biting off small, hard pieces. This can help you remember the meaning.
Ich höre die Maus in der Wand knabbern.
I hear the mouse nibbling in the wall.
to process
'verarbeiten' and 'an etwas zu knabbern haben' can both describe someone being mentally or emotionally occupied with something difficult. 'verarbeiten' is neutral and fits many situations, including serious conversations. 'an etwas zu knabbern haben' is colloquial and emphasizes that someone is struggling for a long time with a problem, a defeat, or a disappointment. The words can be confused because both have to do with emotional strain. If you want to speak matter-of-factly, 'verarbeiten' is more natural. If you want to say in everyday language that someone is still suffering from something, 'daran knabbern' works well.
An der Niederlage im Finale knabbert Max noch immer.
Max is still struggling with the defeat in the final.
Ich verarbeite die Absage noch, aber morgen kann ich wieder klarer denken.
I am still processing the rejection, but tomorrow I’ll be able to think more clearly again.