steil
steep
Having a strong upward or downward slope.
EXAMPLE
Der Weg zum Gipfel ist sehr steil.
The path to the summit is very steep.
steil
steep
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Meanings
steil
awesome
A colloquial expression for great, impressive, or cool. Often used in the phrase 'steil gehen' (to be awesome / to go wild).
EXAMPLE
Die Party gestern war richtig steil!
The party yesterday was really awesome!
eine steile These
a bold claim
A daring, provocative, or difficult-to-prove assertion.
EXAMPLE
Dass künstliche Intelligenz bald ein eigenes Bewusstsein entwickelt, ist eine steile These.
That artificial intelligence will soon develop consciousness of its own is a bold claim.
steil
rapid
In relation to a career or rise: progressing very quickly and successfully.
EXAMPLE
Er hat eine steile Karriere im Unternehmen gemacht.
He has had a rapid career rise within the company.
Usage tips
Typical collocations
In its literal meaning, 'steil' (steep) usually describes paths, roads, or terrain. Typical collocations are 'ein steiler Berg' (a steep mountain), 'eine steile Küste' (a steep coast), 'eine steile Treppe' (a steep staircase), or 'ein steiler Anstieg' (a steep climb).
EXAMPLE
Für die Radtour haben wir eine Route ohne steile Anstiege gewählt.
For the bike tour, we chose a route without steep climbs.
Use as an adverb
'Steil' (steeply) is also used as an adverb to describe how something rises or falls. Typical verbs in this context are 'ansteigen' (to rise), 'abfallen' (to drop/slope down), or 'bergauf gehen' (to go uphill).
EXAMPLE
Die Aktienkurse sind nach der Ankündigung steil angestiegen.
The share prices rose steeply after the announcement.
Colloquial phrase
The phrase 'steil gehen' is colloquial and means that something is awesome or that an event was very successful and lively. It is often used by younger people.
EXAMPLE
Die Party am Samstag ist richtig steil gegangen!
The party on Saturday was really awesome!
Fixed expression
The fixed expression 'eine steile These' (a bold claim) refers to a provocative, daring, or hard-to-prove assertion. It is often used in discussions or debates.
EXAMPLE
Seine Behauptung, dass alle Probleme durch Technik lösbar sind, ist eine ziemlich steile These.
His claim that all problems can be solved through technology is a pretty bold claim.
Figurative meaning
In connection with 'Karriere' (career) or 'Aufstieg' (rise), 'steil' describes a very fast and successful professional path. People then speak of a 'steile Karriere' (rapid career rise).
EXAMPLE
Nach ihrem Studium hat sie eine steile Karriere in der Finanzbranche gemacht.
After her studies, she had a rapid career rise in the finance industry.
Compare with
steil vs rasant
rapid / fast
Steil and rasant can both describe a career that progresses quickly. Steil emphasizes strong and successful upward progress, while rasant mainly emphasizes the high speed and dynamic development. Steil is especially suitable for rapid promotions; rasant focuses more on the course of the development over time.
steil
Nach mehreren erfolgreichen Beförderungen machte sie eine steile Karriere.
After several successful promotions, she had a meteoric career.
rasant
Innerhalb von nur drei Jahren entwickelte sich ihre Karriere rasant.
Her career developed rapidly within just three years.
In real life
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