verb

stehlen

steal

Etwas nehmen, das einer anderen Person gehört, ohne zu fragen oder zu bezahlen.

Definition & meaning

stehlen means to steal: to take something that belongs to another person without permission and with the intention of keeping it or using it.

jemandem etwas stehlen — to steal something from someone
Example: Jemand hat mir mein Fahrrad gestohlen. — Someone stole my bicycle.
It can also be used reflexively in sich davonstehlen, meaning to sneak away or slip away quietly:
Er stahl sich davon. — He slipped away quietly.

The verb often emphasizes the unlawful act of taking something. For taking something temporarily or without permission, German may also use entwenden or klauen, depending on the context and level of formality.

Grammar & Word origin

stehlen is an irregular, strong verb.

Infinitive: stehlen
Present tense: er stiehlt
Simple past: er stahl
Past participle: gestohlen
Auxiliary verb: haben [?](vocabuo://word/haben]

It usually takes a direct object:

etwas stehlen — to steal something
jemandem etwas stehlen — to steal something from someone

Historically, stehlen comes from Old High German stelan and is related to English steal. It is a basic inherited Germanic verb rather than a modern compound.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

klauen — to steal; colloquial and less formal than stehlen
entwenden — to take or steal; formal, often used in official or written language
rauben — to rob or take by force; stronger than stehlen, because it commonly implies violence or coercion
sich aneignen — to appropriate or take possession of something; often more indirect and not necessarily describing a conventional theft

Antonyms

zurückgeben — to give back; the opposite action when something has been taken
behalten — to keep; in the context of stolen property, it contrasts with returning it
schenken — to give as a gift; the opposite of taking without permission

Common phrases & collocations

Geld stehlen — to steal money
ein Auto stehlen — to steal a car
jemandem das Handy stehlen — to steal someone’s mobile phone
wie gestohlen aussehen — to look shocked, pale, or extremely distressed; literally, “to look as if stolen”
sich davonstehlen — to sneak away or leave discreetly