der Stachel
stinger
A pointed organ, often associated with venom, in certain insects or animals, used for stinging.
EXAMPLE
Die Wespe hat ihren Stachel in seiner Haut hinterlassen.
The wasp left its stinger in his skin.
der Stachel
stinger / thorn
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Meanings
der Stachel
thorn / spine
A pointed, hard growth on a plant that serves as protection, such as on roses or cacti.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe mich am Stachel einer Rose verletzt.
I injured myself on the thorn of a rose.
der Stachel
sting
In a figurative sense, something that causes emotional pain, hurt, or unrest.
EXAMPLE
Seine abfällige Bemerkung hinterließ einen tiefen Stachel.
His disparaging remark left a deep sting.
Usage tips
Word family
'Der Stachel' (stinger/thorn) is the tool with which something stings. The word is closely related to the verb 'stechen' (to sting/prick), which describes the action of stinging or pricking.
EXAMPLE
Vorsicht, diese Wespen stechen, wenn sie sich bedroht fühlen.
Careful, these wasps sting when they feel threatened.
Context clue
The context reveals the meaning. With animals like bees, it is the stinging organ; with plants like roses, it is the pointed growth; and with feelings like envy, it is emotional pain.
EXAMPLE
Die Biene verlor beim Stechen ihren Stachel.
The bee lost its stinger when it stung.
Typical collocations
When talking about insect stings, people often say that you have to 'den Stachel entfernen' (remove the stinger) or 'herausziehen' (pull it out). The insect itself can 'einen Stachel hinterlassen' (leave a stinger behind).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Bienenstich musste ich schnell den Stachel entfernen.
After the bee sting, I had to remove the stinger quickly.
Figurative meaning
In the figurative meaning, 'Stachel' (sting) describes emotional pain. Typical phrases are 'der Stachel der Eifersucht' (the sting of jealousy), 'der Stachel des Neides' (the sting of envy), or that a remark 'einen Stachel hinterlässt' (leaves a sting).
EXAMPLE
Der Stachel des Zweifels blieb auch nach seiner Erklärung.
The sting of doubt remained even after his explanation.
Compare with
Stachel vs Stich
sting / stitch
Stich and Stachel are both related to an insect attack, but they do not mean the same thing. The Stachel is the animal’s pointed organ, whereas the Stich is the penetration of that organ or the wound it causes. Use Stachel when talking about the body part and Stich when talking about the injury.
Stachel
Der Stachel der Biene blieb nach dem Angriff in meinem Arm stecken.
The bee’s stinger remained lodged in my arm after the attack.
Stich
Nach dem Stich der Biene schwoll die Haut an meinem Arm an.
After the bee sting, the skin on my arm swelled up.
In real life
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