verb

stiga

rise · get on

Att gå uppåt eller bli högre.

Definition & meaning

The Swedish verb stiga primarily means to rise, to ascend, or to increase. It is used in various contexts to describe movement or changes in value.

To rise or ascend: It describes something moving upwards, such as the sun rising in the sky (solen stiger) or smoke rising from a chimney.
To increase: It is used when levels or values go up, such as prices (priserna stiger), temperatures, or water levels.
To step: It describes the physical act of moving one's feet to enter or exit a place or vehicle. This is often used with particles:
- stiga på : To board (a bus, train, etc.) or to step onto something.
- stiga av : To get off or disembark.
- stiga in : To step inside.
- stiga upp : To get out of bed or to stand up.

Grammar & Word origin

stiga is a strong verb (class 1) in Swedish. Its forms are:

Infinitive: stiga
Present: stiger
Past (Preterite): steg
Supine: stigit
Imperative: stig

The word originates from the Old Swedish stigha, which comes from a Common Germanic root. It is closely related to the German word steigen and the English word sty (as in "stair" or "stirrup," though the direct English verb "to sty" is archaic).