01
sitzen
to sit
To sit down or be seated with one's buttocks on a surface, for example on a chair or on the floor.
example
Wir saßen gemütlich auf dem Sofa und sahen einen Film.
We sat comfortably on the sofa and watched a film.
sitzen
to sit
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Position vs. movement
'Sitzen' (to sit) describes a position (Wo? + dative). The corresponding movement is expressed with the reflexive verb 'sich setzen' (to sit down) (Wohin? + accusative).
EXAMPLE
Er sitzt schon auf dem Stuhl.
He is already sitting on the chair.
Grammar: auxiliary verb
The perfect tense of 'sitzen' (to sit) is formed with 'haben' in standard German. In southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, however, you also often hear the form with 'sein'.
EXAMPLE
Wir haben den ganzen Abend auf der Terrasse gesessen.
We sat on the terrace the whole evening.
Typical prepositions
Different prepositions are used depending on the type of seat: you sit 'auf' einem Stuhl (on a chair), 'in' einem Sessel (in an armchair), but 'an' einem Tisch (at a table).
EXAMPLE
Die Familie saß gemeinsam am Abendbrottisch.
The family sat together at the dinner table.
Use with clothing
When 'sitzen' (to fit) means that clothing fits, the item of clothing is the subject of the sentence. A very common expression for this is 'sitzt wie angegossen' (fits like a glove).
EXAMPLE
Die Jacke ist perfekt, sie sitzt wie angegossen.
The jacket is perfect; it fits like a glove.
Register: colloquial
The meaning 'im Gefängnis sein' (to be in prison) is colloquial. You can indicate the reason with 'wegen' (+ genitive) or the duration with 'für' (+ accusative).
EXAMPLE
Er musste für zwei Jahre sitzen.
He had to be in prison for two years.
Fixed expression
The expression 'sitzen bleiben' (to repeat a grade) is a fixed expression for having to repeat a school grade. It is often used in the passive.
EXAMPLE
Er ist in der achten Klasse sitzen geblieben.
He repeated eighth grade.
Fixed expression
The construction 'auf etwas sitzen' (to be stuck with something) (with dative) means that you have a large amount of something and cannot sell it. The expression is often expanded to 'auf etwas sitzen bleiben' (to be left stuck with something).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem warmen Winter blieben die Händler auf ihren dicken Jacken sitzen.
After the warm winter, the retailers were left stuck with their thick jackets.
Compare with
sitzen vs stehen
to stand
'stehen' and 'sitzen' both describe a body position. But they are opposites: with 'stehen', you are on your feet and your body is upright. With 'sitzen', you are sitting with your buttocks on a chair, a bench, or the floor. Learners may confuse the words because both often occur with places, for example on the bus, in the waiting room, or in the office. The key point is not the place, but the position of the body.
sitzen
Im Bus sitzt sie neben ihrer Kollegin und liest eine Nachricht.
On the bus, she is sitting next to her colleague and reading a message.
stehen
Am Telefon steht mein Freund am Fenster und spricht leise.
On the phone, my friend is standing by the window and speaking quietly.
In real life
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