der Stapel
stack / pile
A quantity of things that are placed on top of one another, neatly or messily.
EXAMPLE
Auf seinem Schreibtisch liegt ein hoher Stapel Bücher.
There is a tall stack of books on his desk.
der Stapel
stack / pile
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Meanings
der Stapel
pile
A large amount of something, often used figuratively for work or tasks.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe noch einen ganzen Stapel Arbeit zu erledigen.
I still have a whole pile of work to do.
vom Stapel laufen
to be launched
A newly built ship is put into the water. In a figurative sense, it also means that a new project or product is launched.
EXAMPLE
Das neue Kreuzfahrtschiff ist gestern vom Stapel gelaufen.
The new cruise ship was launched yesterday.
der Stapel
stack
In computer science, a data structure in which the element added last is the first to be removed again (Last-In, First-Out).
EXAMPLE
Die Funktionsaufrufe werden in der Programmierung auf einem Stapel gespeichert.
In programming, function calls are stored on a stack.
Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'der Stapel' (the stack/pile) is closely related to the verb 'stapeln' (to stack), which means 'to place something neatly on top of something else'. When you stack things, a stack is formed.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du mir helfen, das Holz zu stapeln?
Can you help me stack the wood?
Typical combinations
For physical objects, 'Stapel' (stack/pile) is often combined with things that can be placed on top of one another. Typical examples are 'ein Stapel Bücher' (a stack of books), 'ein Stapel Papier' (a stack of paper), or 'ein Stapel Kleidung' (a pile of clothes).
EXAMPLE
Neben dem Drucker liegt ein hoher Stapel Papier.
Next to the printer there is a tall stack of paper.
Figurative meaning
In a figurative sense, 'Stapel' (pile) is often used for a large number of tasks. Common combinations are 'ein Stapel Arbeit' (a pile of work) or 'ein Stapel Akten' (a stack of files) that still need to be processed.
EXAMPLE
Ich kann heute nicht kommen, ich habe noch einen riesigen Stapel Arbeit auf dem Schreibtisch.
I can't come today; I still have a huge pile of work on my desk.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'vom Stapel laufen' (to be launched) is a fixed expression. It is used both literally for the launch of a ship and figuratively for the beginning of a new project.
EXAMPLE
Nächste Woche läuft unser neues Software-Produkt endlich vom Stapel.
Next week our new software product will finally be launched.
Technical language
In computer science, 'der Stapel' (the stack) is a technical term for a specific data structure. In this context, the principle 'Last-In, First-Out' is often mentioned.
EXAMPLE
Der Prozessor legt die Adressen für die Rücksprünge auf dem Stapel ab.
The processor stores the addresses for the returns on the stack.
Compare with
Stapel vs Haufen
pile / bunch
“Haufen” and “Stapel” both refer to a collection of things. “Stapel” focuses on objects placed on top of one another, usually in a recognizable arrangement, while “Haufen” tends to suggest disorder. Use “Stapel” for neatly arranged papers or books and “Haufen” for things lying around haphazardly.
Stapel
Auf dem Tisch lag ein ordentlicher Stapel Bücher.
A neat stack of books lay on the table.
Haufen
Auf dem Boden lag ein Haufen Bücher durcheinander.
A pile of books lay scattered on the floor.
In real life
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