stapeln
to stack
To place similar things neatly on top of one another so that a stack or pile is formed.
EXAMPLE
Er begann, die Bücher nach Größe zu sortieren und ordentlich zu stapeln.
He began sorting the books by size and stacking them neatly.
stapeln
to stack
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Meanings
sich stapeln
to pile up
To accumulate in large quantities and form a pile. Often used for work, mail, or unfinished tasks.
EXAMPLE
Auf meinem Schreibtisch stapelt sich die Arbeit der letzten zwei Wochen.
The work from the last two weeks is piling up on my desk.
tief stapeln
to understate
In a fixed expression: to deliberately present one's own abilities, achievements, or the value of something as less than they actually are; to be modest.
EXAMPLE
Obwohl sie die Beste war, hat sie bei der Siegerehrung tief gestapelt und dem Team gedankt.
Although she was the best, she understated her achievement at the award ceremony and thanked the team.
hoch stapeln
to exaggerate
In a fixed expression: to exaggerate, boast, or promise more than one can deliver; to present one's abilities or status in an overly positive way.
EXAMPLE
Er neigt dazu, hoch zu stapeln, aber in Wirklichkeit hat er nicht so viel Erfahrung.
He tends to exaggerate, but in reality he doesn't have that much experience.
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'stapeln' (to stack) is directly related to the noun 'der Stapel' (the stack). A stack is the result of the action: when you stack books, a stack of books is created.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du mir helfen, den Stapel Papiere zu tragen?
Can you help me carry the stack of papers?
Context clues
You can recognize the meaning of 'stapeln' (to stack) from the sentence structure. If it is used with an object, it is meant literally. If it is reflexive ('sich stapeln' (to pile up)), it means 'sich ansammeln' (to accumulate). If it appears with 'hoch' (high) or 'tief' (low), it is an idiom.
EXAMPLE
Ich muss noch die Wäsche stapeln.
I still have to stack the laundry.
Typical objects
In its literal meaning, 'stapeln' (to stack) is often used with flat, similar objects. Typical objects are books, plates, boxes, papers, or wood.
EXAMPLE
Wir müssen das Brennholz vor dem Winter ordentlich stapeln.
We need to stack the firewood neatly before winter.
Reflexive use
The reflexive form 'sich stapeln' (to pile up) is often used for things that accumulate without active action. It usually has a negative connotation and refers to work, bills, or unfinished tasks.
EXAMPLE
Seit ich krank war, stapeln sich die E-Mails in meinem Posteingang.
Since I was sick, the emails have been piling up in my inbox.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'tief stapeln' (to understate) is not to be understood literally. It means to be modest and deliberately present one's achievements or abilities as smaller than they are.
EXAMPLE
Obwohl er ein Experte ist, stapelt er immer tief und sagt, er wisse nicht viel.
Although he is an expert, he always understates things and says he doesn't know much.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'hoch stapeln' (to exaggerate) is the opposite of 'tief stapeln' (to understate). It means to boast, exaggerate, or present abilities and possessions as greater than they really are.
EXAMPLE
Er hat bei seiner Bewerbung ganz schön hoch gestapelt und kann jetzt seine Versprechen nicht halten.
He really exaggerated in his application and now can't keep his promises.
Compare with
stapeln vs übertreiben
to exaggerate
Übertreiben is the general term for presenting something as bigger or more important than it is. Hoch stapeln is a fixed expression used especially when someone boasts about their status or abilities or promises more than they can deliver.
stapeln
Im Bewerbungsgespräch stapelte Tom mit seinen angeblichen Erfolgen ziemlich hoch.
In the job interview, Tom made some pretty exaggerated claims about his supposed achievements.
übertreiben
Im Bewerbungsgespräch übertrieb Tom seine Erfahrung mit großen Projekten.
In the job interview, Tom exaggerated his experience with large projects.
In real life
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