sterben
die
Das ist, wenn ein Lebewesen aufhört zu leben und nicht mehr atmet oder sich bewegt.
Definition & meaning
sterben is a verb that means to die or to pass away. It is used to describe the biological end of the life of a human, animal, or plant.
In a figurative sense, it can also mean:
- To fade or become extinct (e.g., "die Hoffnung stirbt zuletzt" - hope dies last).
- To lose intensity or stop functioning (e.g., a fire dying out).
- To suffer intensely (e.g., "vor Hunger sterben" - to starve to death).
Grammar & Word origin
sterben is a strong, irregular verb (class IIIb).
- Present: ich sterbe, du stirbst, er/sie/es stirbt
- Past (Präteritum): ich starb
- Perfect (Perfekt): ich bin gestorben
It belongs to the Proto-Germanic root sterbaną, which is also related to the English word "starve." In Old and Middle High German, the word originally meant "to become stiff" or "to wither," which is reflected in the modern German word starr (rigid/stiff).
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- verstorben (deceased)
- dahinscheiden (to pass away - formal)
- ums Leben kommen (to lose one's life/perish)
- verenden (to die - usually used for animals)
- entschlafen (to fall asleep/pass away - euphemism)
Antonyms:
Make “sterben” part of your vocabulary.
Build your German vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.
Examples
Menschen sterben irgendwann.verb
People die eventually.
Viele Pflanzen sterben im Winter ab.verb
Many plants die off in the winter.
Blumen sterben im Winter.verb
Flowers die in winter.
Viele Pflanzen sterben ohne Wasser.verb
Many plants die without water.
Im Winter sterben oft Pflanzen.verb
In winter, plants often die.
Tiere sterben ohne Wasser.verb
Animals die without water.
Keep exploring German
Learn words from the content you love.
Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).
Scan for iPhone & iPad