Translation of German word "stellen" to English
stellen
/ˈstɛln̩/
Meaning
VerbTo put or place something, usually in an upright/standing position; to position an object somewhere (transitive; takes the accusative case, answering 'where to?').
How to use
The weak verb stellen ('to place / put standing / place vertically') is transitive and expresses movement/direction, requiring the accusative case (answers 'where to?' / wohin?, e.g., Ich stelle das Glas auf den Tisch — I place the glass standing on the table). Conjugation: stellt, stellte, hat gestellt. It is contrasted with the static intransitive verb stehen ('to stand', requires dative, e.g., Das Glas steht auf dem Tisch). The reflexive sich stellen means 'to stand / place oneself / turn oneself in'.
🇬🇧 English
to put / place (in a standing position)
Example
Stellen Sie den Computer auf den Tisch.
Put the computer on the table.
Ich stelle die Bücher zurück ins Regal.
I put the books back on the shelf.
Your personal vocabulary
🦊 Use this word in a live AI conversationSynonyms
Common phrases
- den Wecker stellen— to set the alarm clock
- eine Frage stellen— to ask / pose a question
- auf den Tisch stellen— to place standing on the table (accusative direction)
More Core Verbs words
This concept in other languages
📖 Related grammar
🦊 Conjugation of the verb "stellen"Full conjugation →
Present Tense (Präsens)
Simple Past (Präteritum)
Perfect (Perfekt)
ich bin/ habe gestellt
Imperative (Imperativ)
Frequency rank: #200 in German
Learn them all! 🚀
Master the 1000 most common German words with smart explanations, audio pronunciation, and spaced repetition.
Start Learning For Free →No sign-up required
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the definition of the German word "stellen"?▼
The German word "stellen" is defined as: "To put or place something, usually in an upright/standing position; to position an object somewhere (transitive; takes the accusative case, answering 'where to?')."
What does the German word "stellen" mean?▼
The German word "stellen" means "to put / place (in a standing position)" in English.
How do you pronounce the German word "stellen"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "stellen" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "stellen"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Stellen Sie den Computer auf den Tisch." (which translates as "Put the computer on the table.").
Related reading
100 Most Common German Verbs (with examples & conjugation)
Master the 100 most frequent German verbs. Learn their meanings, see them in action with example sentences, and access direct dictionary links to see full conjugation tables.
Read →GermanA1 → B1 in German: A Realistic Step-by-Step Roadmap
A realistic guide to moving from absolute beginner (A1) to intermediate (B1) in German. Learn what to study at each level, timeline estimates, and resources.
Read →