01
steigen
to rise
To increase in quantity, value, intensity, or level.
example
Die Arbeitslosigkeit ist im letzten Quartal leicht gestiegen.
Unemployment rose slightly in the last quarter.
steigen
to rise / climb
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Auxiliary verb 'sein'
'Steigen' (to rise/climb) describes movement or a change of state. Therefore, the perfect tense is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be).
EXAMPLE
Die Benzinpreise sind schon wieder gestiegen.
Petrol prices have risen again.
Word family in transport
'Steigen' (to climb/get) is the base verb for many important verbs related to means of transport: 'einsteigen' (to get in), 'aussteigen' (to get out), and 'umsteigen' (to change vehicles/trains).
EXAMPLE
Wir müssen an der nächsten Haltestelle aussteigen.
We have to get off at the next stop.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'zunehmen' (to increase), 'steigen' (to rise) is usually used for abstract things that can be measured, such as prices, temperatures, numbers, or fever.
EXAMPLE
Die Nachfrage nach Elektroautos steigt kontinuierlich.
Demand for electric cars is rising continuously.
Correct preposition
When entering vehicles, the preposition is important: you get 'in' closed vehicles ('in den Bus' — into the bus, 'ins Auto' — into the car), but 'auf' for open vehicles or animals ('auf das Fahrrad' — onto the bicycle, 'aufs Motorrad' — onto the motorcycle).
EXAMPLE
Er stieg schnell in den Zug, bevor die Türen sich schlossen.
He quickly got into the train before the doors closed.
Register
The meaning 'stattfinden' (to take place) is colloquial and is used almost only for parties, festivals, or similar events.
EXAMPLE
Wo steigt heute Abend die Party?
Where's the party happening tonight?
Compare with
steigen vs fallen
to fall
'fallen' and 'steigen' often describe movement or change in opposite directions. With real movement, 'fallen' means that something goes downward, often in an uncontrolled way. 'steigen' means that something goes upward or becomes larger. With numbers, prices, or temperatures, you say they 'fallen' when they become lower, and they 'steigen' when they become higher. The words can be confused because both are used with values and quantities. The important thing is the direction: downward or less = 'fallen', upward or more = 'steigen'.
steigen
Im Sommer steigen die Temperaturen oft schon am Vormittag.
In summer, temperatures often rise as early as the morning.
fallen
Nach dem Wochenende fallen die Preise für viele Hotels.
After the weekend, prices for many hotels fall.
In real life
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