verstopft
/fɛʁˈʃtɔpft/
The English phrase "constipated" is translated into German as verstopft.
The adjective verstopft is used to describe the state of being unable to defecate.
Meaning: unable to defecate (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, verstopft must take the appropriate inflectional endings to match the gender, case and number of the noun it modifies.
How do you pronounce it?
/fɛʁˈʃtɔpft/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Instead of using a direct translation of "I am constipated," a German speaker is more likely to use the noun phrase Ich habe eine Verstopfung to describe the medical condition.
Did you know?
- If you are talking about a 'stuffed' or 'clogged' nose due to a cold, Germans use the same adjective verstopft, meaning the word for 'constipated' and 'congested' is identical.
- The word verstopft comes from the root Stopfen, which refers to a plug or cork. Literally, it describes the body as being 'plugged' rather than 'constricted'.
- If you want to sound more formal or clinical, doctors might use the term Obstipation instead of the common Verstopfung, which shares the same Latin root as the English 'obstinate'.
Examples in context
- Ich bin verstopftI am constipated
- Ich leide unter VerstopfungI am suffering from constipation
- Haben Sie einen Tipp, wie ich die Verstopfung lindern kann?Do you have any tips on how I can alleviate constipation?
- Ich bin seit drei Tagen verstopft.I have been constipated for three days.
- Das Kind ist leider etwas verstopft.The child is unfortunately a bit constipated.
Example conversation
Lukas and Laura are talking in their kitchen about health.
- LukasLaura, ich fühle mich sehr unwohl.Laura, I feel very unwell.
- LauraBist du vielleicht verstopft?Are you perhaps constipated?
- LukasJa, ich bin seit gestern verstopft.Yes, I have been constipated since yesterday.
- LauraDu solltest viel Wasser trinken, Lukas.You should drink a lot of water, Lukas.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “constipated” translations and entries verstopft, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
