to stir
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to stir
To move a liquid or mushy mixture in a circular motion with a spoon or a similar object in order to mix the ingredients or prevent burning. This verb is separable.
Vergiss nicht, die Suppe gelegentlich umzurühren, damit sie nicht anbrennt.
Don't forget to stir the soup occasionally so it doesn't burn.
'Umrühren' (to stir) is a separable verb. The prefix 'um-' goes at the end in a main clause, remains attached to the verb in a subordinate clause, and in an infinitive with 'zu', 'zu' stands between 'um' and 'rühren'.
Ich rühre den Zucker im Tee um.
I stir the sugar into the tea.
The verb is made up of the prefix 'um-' and the verb 'rühren' (to stir). The prefix 'um-' here emphasizes the circular or repeated movement when mixing.
Rühre den Joghurt bitte einmal kräftig um.
Please give the yogurt a good stir.
'Umrühren' (to stir) is typically used with liquids or foods. Common combinations are: 'die Soße umrühren' (to stir the sauce), 'den Kaffee umrühren' (to stir the coffee), 'den Teig umrühren' (to stir the batter), or 'die Farbe umrühren' (to stir the paint).
Bevor du die Wand streichst, musst du die Farbe gut umrühren.
Before you paint the wall, you have to stir the paint well.
to mix
'mischen' and 'umrühren' both have to do with ingredients in a liquid or mixture. 'mischen' describes the result: different things are combined so that they form one shared mixture or liquid. 'umrühren' describes more the movement with a spoon or a similar object. You stir soup, sauce, or tea so that something is distributed evenly or so that it does not burn. The words can be confused because when you stir something, you often also mix it. If the action with circular movements in a pot or glass is important, 'umrühren' fits better. If combining the ingredients is important, 'mischen' fits better.
Rühr die Suppe bitte noch einmal um, damit sie nicht anbrennt.
Please stir the soup again so it doesn't burn.
Für den Salat mischt Tom Öl, Essig und Senf in einer kleinen Schüssel.
For the salad, Tom mixes oil, vinegar, and mustard in a small bowl.