das Stöckchen
little stick
A small, usually thin stick or a short piece of wood.
EXAMPLE
Der Hund brachte ein Stöckchen aus dem Garten zurück.
The dog brought a little stick back from the garden.
das Stöckchen
stick
das Stöckchen, die Stöckchen
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Meanings
über ein Stöckchen springen
to take the bait
To let someone easily persuade you to react in a certain way or do something specific. The expression is often used critically or mockingly.
EXAMPLE
Mit dieser provokanten Frage wollte der Journalist ihn dazu bringen, über ein Stöckchen zu springen.
With this provocative question, the journalist wanted to get him to take the bait.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Stöckchen, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Stöckchen |
| genitive | des Stöckchens |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Stöckchen | die Stöckchen |
| accusative | das Stöckchen | die Stöckchen |
| dative | dem Stöckchen | den Stöckchen |
| genitive | des Stöckchens | der Stöckchen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Stöckchen' consists of 'Stock' (stick) and the ending '-chen'. The ending turns 'Stock' into a smaller form, which is why 'Stöckchen' usually refers to a short or thin piece of wood.
EXAMPLE
Das Kind sammelte im Wald mehrere Stöckchen.
The child collected several little sticks in the forest.
Typical collocations
In this meaning, 'Stöckchen' often occurs in connection with dogs: a dog fetches, carries, or brings a 'Stöckchen' (little stick). The phrase 'ein Stöckchen werfen' (to throw a little stick) is also especially common.
EXAMPLE
Am See warf sie ihrem Hund ein Stöckchen.
At the lake, she threw her dog a little stick.
Fixed expression
The expression is 'über ein Stöckchen springen' (to take the bait). It often appears in the construction 'jemanden dazu bringen, über ein Stöckchen zu springen' (to get someone to take the bait); it usually refers to reacting to a provocation or a deliberate prompt.
EXAMPLE
Der Politiker sprang über jedes Stöckchen, das ihm die Moderatorin hinhielt.
The politician took the bait every single time the presenter offered it.
In real life
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