dastehen
to stand there
To stand in a particular place, often without doing anything or knowing what to do.
EXAMPLE
Als der Regen plötzlich einsetzte, standen wir ohne Schirm da.
When the rain suddenly started, we stood there without an umbrella.
dastehen
to stand there / come across
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Meanings
gut/schlecht dastehen
to be doing well/badly
To be in a good or bad financial, social, or general situation.
EXAMPLE
Finanziell steht das Unternehmen nach dem erfolgreichen Quartal sehr gut da.
Financially, the company is doing very well after the successful quarter.
dastehen als
to come across as
To appear or be perceived in a certain way; to have a particular reputation or image.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Skandal wollte er nicht als Betrüger dastehen.
After the scandal, he did not want to come across as a fraud.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Dastehen' (to stand there / to come across) is a separable verb. The prefix 'da-' separates from the verb 'stehen' in a main clause and goes to the end of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Nach der überraschenden Nachricht stand er sprachlos da.
After the surprising news, he stood there speechless.
Sentence structure
As a separable verb, the prefix 'da' comes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Sie stand einfach nur da und sagte nichts.
She just stood there and said nothing.
Typical collocations
In the figurative meaning, 'dastehen' (to be doing / to stand) is very often combined with adverbs like 'gut' (well), 'schlecht' (badly), 'besser' (better), or 'allein' (alone) to evaluate a situation or position.
EXAMPLE
Im Vergleich zur Konkurrenz steht unsere Firma jetzt viel besser da.
Compared with the competition, our company is now doing much better.
Use with 'als'
To describe a particular image or role, the structure 'dastehen als ...' (to come across as ...) is used. The word after 'als' is in the nominative.
EXAMPLE
Er hat einen Fehler gemacht und steht jetzt als der Dumme da.
He made a mistake and now comes across as the fool.
Compare with
dastehen vs stehen
to stand
Stehen neutrally describes a person’s upright posture. Dastehen can additionally emphasize their visible presence and often suggests that they are inactive or at a loss. If only the posture matters, stehen is appropriate; for this additional effect, dastehen is the better choice.
dastehen
Nach dem Klingeln steht Paul ratlos vor der verschlossenen Tür da.
After the doorbell rings, Paul stands helplessly in front of the locked door.
stehen
Nach dem Klingeln steht Paul vor der verschlossenen Tür.
After the doorbell rings, Paul stands in front of the locked door.
In real life
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