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ansteigend
rising
Describes something that leads upward or whose incline increases. It is often used for paths, roads, or terrain.
example
Der Weg zum Gipfel ist steil und ansteigend.
The path to the summit is steep and rising.
ansteigend
rising / increasing
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
'Ansteigend' (rising / increasing) is the present participle of the separable verb 'ansteigen' (to rise / to increase). The verb 'ansteigen' means that something becomes higher or increases, whether it is a path or a number.
EXAMPLE
Die Temperaturen steigen langsam an.
The temperatures are slowly rising.
Context clues
You can recognize the meaning from the noun. If 'ansteigend' (rising / increasing) refers to something physical such as 'Straße' (road), 'Weg' (path), or 'Gelände' (terrain), it means an incline. If it refers to abstract things such as 'Preise' (prices), 'Zahlen' (numbers), 'Fieber' (fever), or 'Tendenz' (trend), it means an increase.
EXAMPLE
Wir folgten einem schmalen, ansteigenden Pfad durch den Wald.
We followed a narrow, rising path through the forest.
Combination with adverbs
The word is often described more precisely by adverbs that indicate the extent of the incline or increase. Typical combinations are 'steil ansteigend' (steeply rising), 'leicht ansteigend' (slightly rising / increasing), 'stark ansteigend' (sharply increasing), or 'langsam ansteigend' (slowly rising / increasing).
EXAMPLE
Die Kurve der Infektionen ist nur noch leicht ansteigend.
The curve of infections is now only slightly increasing.
Compare with
ansteigend vs zunehmend
increasingly / waxing
'zunehmend' and 'ansteigend' can both describe an increase, for example in prices, numbers, or temperatures. 'zunehmend' says more generally: something is becoming more or stronger. 'ansteigend' fits especially well with measurable values that are going up, and also with paths or roads that lead uphill. Learners may confuse the words because both describe a positive direction. As a simple guide: for general developments, 'zunehmend' is often more natural; for numbers, curves, or slopes, 'ansteigend' is very appropriate.
ansteigend
Die ansteigenden Mieten machen vielen Familien Sorgen.
The rising rents are worrying many families.
zunehmend
Im Zug wird es zunehmend voller.
The train is getting increasingly crowded.
In real life
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