chopstick / stick
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chopstick
One of two thin sticks made of wood, bamboo, or plastic that are used as eating utensils in East Asia. Usually used in the plural.
Ich finde es schwierig, Reis mit Stäbchen zu essen.
I find it difficult to eat rice with chopsticks.
'Stäbchen' (small stick) is the diminutive form of 'der Stab' (the stick/rod). The ending '-chen' makes the object small and cute and always changes the article to 'das'.
Der Arzt nahm mit einem langen Stäbchen eine Probe.
The doctor took a sample with a long little stick.
When 'Stäbchen' (chopsticks) means eating utensils, it is almost always used in the plural. The most common fixed phrase is 'mit Stäbchen essen' (to eat with chopsticks).
Kannst du Suppe mit Stäbchen essen?
Can you eat soup with chopsticks?
In its general meaning, 'Stäbchen' (small stick) is often the second part of a compound noun that describes the type of stick more precisely. Typical examples are 'Wattestäbchen' (cotton swab), 'Fischstäbchen' (fish stick), or 'Duftstäbchen' (incense stick).
Für die Party haben wir eine große Packung Fischstäbchen gekauft.
For the party, we bought a large pack of fish sticks.
The meaning as a visual cell in the eye is a technical term from biology and medicine. In everyday conversations, this meaning practically does not occur.
Im Biologieunterricht haben wir über die Funktion der Stäbchen und Zapfen im Auge gelernt.
In biology class, we learned about the function of rods and cones in the eye.
staff / rod
'der Stab' and 'das Stäbchen' can both refer to a thin, elongated object. The most important difference is the size, and often also the use. A 'Stab' tends to be long and sturdy, for example made of wood or metal. A 'Stäbchen' is small and thin; it often means chopsticks or small objects such as 'Wattestäbchen' (cotton swabs). Learners may confuse the words because 'Stäbchen' sounds like a small form of 'Stab'. As a practical rule: for a long, solid object, say 'Stab'; for small, thin things, 'Stäbchen' is more likely.
Im Restaurant habe ich versucht, mit Stäbchen zu essen.
At the restaurant, I tried to eat with chopsticks.
Der Gärtner stützt die junge Pflanze mit einem langen Stab.
The gardener supports the young plant with a long stake.