Zappeln

Zappeln is a German verb meaning to twitch, wriggle, or fidget. It describes small, rapid, irregular movements by people or animals, and can also be used figuratively to denote restlessness or nervous energy. The action is typically voluntary and short in duration, though it can occur as a reaction to stimuli such as excitement, discomfort, or impatience.

In usage, zappeln often refers to the movement of a body part, for example die Finger zappeln, die Beine zappeln, or ein Hund, der unruhig zappelt. Common expressions include vor Aufregung zappeln (to fidget with excitement) and etwas lässt jemanden zappeln (something causes someone to fidget). The verb is intransitive and can be complemented by prepositional phrases such as vor Nervosität or vor Ungeduld.

Conjugation and grammar: the verb is regular. Present tense forms include ich zappele, du zappelst, er zappelt, wir zappeln, ihr zappelt, sie zappeln. The simple past is zappelte; the perfect tense is hat gezappelt.

Etymology: the etymology is not fully documented, but zappeln is generally considered onomatopoeic, echoing the light, rapid, snapping-like movements that the word imagery conveys. It is distinct from similar-looking verbs such as zappen (to zap channels) and should not be confused with those forms.