rupfen
to pluck
To pull out or remove feathers, hair, grass, or similar things by pulling firmly.
EXAMPLE
Sie rupfte das Huhn und bereitete es für das Abendessen vor.
She plucked the chicken and prepared it for dinner.
rupfen
to pluck / tug / fleece
rupfen – rupfte – hat gerupft
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Meanings
rupfen
to tug
To pull at something with short, repeated movements.
EXAMPLE
Das Kind rupfte ungeduldig an der Decke.
The child tugged impatiently at the blanket.
jemanden rupfen
to fleece someone
An informal expression meaning to take someone's money by cheating or overcharging them.
EXAMPLE
Der unseriöse Händler hat seine Kunden ordentlich gerupft.
The shady dealer really fleeced his customers.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry rupfen, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Present
| ich | rupfe |
|---|---|
| du | rupfst |
| er/sie/es | rupft |
| wir | rupfen |
| ihr | rupft |
| sie | rupfen |
Simple past
| ich | rupfte |
|---|---|
| du | rupftest |
| er/sie/es | rupfte |
| wir | rupften |
| ihr | rupftet |
| sie | rupften |
Perfect
with haben
| ich | habe gerupft |
|---|---|
| du | hast gerupft |
| er/sie/es | hat gerupft |
| wir | haben gerupft |
| ihr | habt gerupft |
| sie | haben gerupft |
Commands
| du | rupf! rupfe! |
|---|---|
| ihr | rupft! |
| Sie | rupfen Sie! |
Past perfect
| ich | hatte gerupft |
|---|---|
| du | hattest gerupft |
| er/sie/es | hatte gerupft |
| wir | hatten gerupft |
| ihr | hattet gerupft |
| sie | hatten gerupft |
Future
| ich | werde rupfen |
|---|---|
| du | wirst rupfen |
| er/sie/es | wird rupfen |
| wir | werden rupfen |
| ihr | werdet rupfen |
| sie | werden rupfen |
Subjunctive I
| ich | rupfe |
|---|---|
| du | rupfest |
| er/sie/es | rupfe |
| wir | rupfen |
| ihr | rupfet |
| sie | rupfen |
Used for reported speech.
Subjunctive II
| ich | rupfte |
|---|---|
| du | rupftest |
| er/sie/es | rupfte |
| wir | rupften |
| ihr | rupftet |
| sie | rupften |
Used for wishes and “would”.
Other forms
| infinitive | rupfen |
|---|---|
| with zu | zu rupfen |
| present participle | rupfend |
| past participle | gerupft |
Usage tips
Typical collocations
In this sense, 'rupfen' (to pluck) is often used with feathers or poultry: you can say 'Federn rupfen' (to pluck feathers), 'ein Huhn rupfen' (to pluck a chicken), or 'eine Gans rupfen' (to pluck a goose). The verb takes a direct accusative object.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Schlachten rupfte er das Huhn sorgfältig.
After slaughtering the chicken, he plucked it carefully.
The preposition 'an'
When referring to repeated pulling, 'rupfen' (to tug) is often used with 'an' and the dative case. The thing being pulled is introduced by 'an etwas' (at something).
EXAMPLE
Der Papagei rupfte ständig an meinem Ärmel.
The parrot kept tugging at my sleeve.
Informal usage
The sense of 'rupfen' meaning 'to fleece someone' is informal and often figurative. Words such as 'ordentlich' (really) or 'kräftig' (thoroughly) often intensify the statement.
EXAMPLE
Im Restaurant am Hafen wird man als Tourist kräftig gerupft.
As a tourist, you get thoroughly fleeced at the restaurant by the harbor.
In real life
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