01
die Sprosse
rung
One of the crossbars of a ladder that you step on in order to climb up or down.
example
Vorsicht, die unterste Sprosse der alten Holzleiter ist locker.
Careful, the bottom rung of the old wooden ladder is loose.
die Sprosse
rung / sprout
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 03
Usage tips
Word family
The word 'Sprosse' (rung/sprout) is closely related to the verb 'sprießen' (to grow/sprout), which means 'wachsen' (to grow) or 'keimen' (to germinate). This connection helps you understand the meanings that have to do with plants.
EXAMPLE
Überall im Garten sprießen die ersten Frühlingsblumen.
The first spring flowers are sprouting everywhere in the garden.
Context clue
The meaning of 'Sprosse' (rung/sprout) becomes clear immediately from the context. In sentences with 'Leiter' (ladder), it refers to the crossbar. With 'Pflanze' (plant) or 'Erde' (soil/ground), it is about a shoot. With 'Salat' (salad) or 'essen' (to eat), it refers to the vegetable.
EXAMPLE
Er kletterte die Leiter Sprosse für Sprosse hinauf.
He climbed up the ladder rung by rung.
Figurative meaning
The rung of a ladder is often used figuratively. The expression 'die Karriereleiter Sprosse für Sprosse erklimmen' means to move up professionally step by step.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat hart gearbeitet und ist die Karriereleiter Sprosse für Sprosse emporgestiegen.
She worked hard and climbed the career ladder rung by rung.
Typical verbs
In a culinary context, people often talk about 'zu ziehen' (to grow) sprouts themselves or 'keimen zu lassen' (to let them germinate). This means growing them at home from seeds.
EXAMPLE
Auf der Fensterbank lasse ich in einem Glas Sprossen für mein Müsli keimen.
On the windowsill, I let sprouts germinate in a jar for my muesli.
Compare with
Sprosse vs Staffel
season / relay / squadron
'die Staffel' and 'die Sprosse' can both mean a part of a ladder that you step on. In this sense, 'Sprosse' is the normal and clear word today. 'Staffel' with this meaning is rare, regional, or outdated. The words can be confused when you hear old texts or regional language. In everyday language, people almost always say 'Sprosse' when talking about a ladder.
Sprosse
Beim Aufräumen trat Tom auf eine lockere Sprosse der Leiter.
While tidying up, Tom stepped on a loose rung of the ladder.
Staffel
In dem alten Text steht, dass eine Staffel der Leiter gebrochen war.
The old text says that a rung of the ladder was broken.
In real life
Loading video examples...