German word

stellen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʃtɛlən/

Meaning

  • verbput

Example

Ich stelle das Buch auf den Tisch.

I put the book on the table.

Illustration for stellen (put)

More examples

Er stellt die Kiste in die Ecke.

He puts the box in the corner.

Core concept

A hand places an object upright in a chosen spot and sets a question before another person for an answer.

Common phrases

  • auf den Tisch stellen

    put on the table

  • in die Ecke stellen

    put in the corner

  • ins Regal stellen

    put on the shelf

Similar words

legen: Place an object flat or horizontally.
setzen: Seat a person or animal in a chosen place.
hinstellen: Carry an object somewhere and place it upright.
hinlegen: Carry an object somewhere and lay it down.

Definition in German

Etwas an einen Platz bringen und dort (oft aufrecht) anordnen; außerdem eine Frage oder Forderung stellen.

Word origin

German stellen comes from Old High German stellan, a causative form related to stehen, "stand," with the original sense of making something stand or placing it.

Usage tips

  • With questions, German uses eine Frage stellen, which normally translates as "ask a question" rather than "put a question."

Other meanings

  • askverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word