der Stein
stone
A solid, mineral piece of rock of varying size.
EXAMPLE
Er warf einen kleinen Stein ins Wasser.
He threw a small stone into the water.
der Stein
stone
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Meanings
der Stein
stone
The material rock used as a building material.
EXAMPLE
Die alte Brücke wurde aus Stein gebaut.
The old bridge was built of stone.
der Stein
pit / stone
The hard core in certain fruits such as cherries, peaches, or plums.
EXAMPLE
Pass auf, in der Olive ist noch ein Stein.
Be careful, there is still a pit in the olive.
der Stein
piece / stone
A game piece in board games such as checkers, Nine Men's Morris, or Go.
EXAMPLE
Bei diesem Zug verlierst du einen Stein.
With this move, you lose a piece.
der Stein des Anstoßes
sticking point
The cause of an argument, annoyance, or source of irritation.
EXAMPLE
Die geplante Mauterhöhung war der Stein des Anstoßes für die Proteste.
The planned toll increase was the sticking point behind the protests.
einen Stein im Brett haben
to be in someone's good books
To be very popular or highly regarded by someone and enjoy their goodwill.
EXAMPLE
Seit er das Projekt gerettet hat, hat er bei der Chefin einen Stein im Brett.
Ever since he saved the project, he has been in the boss's good books.
der Stein
stone
A solid, crystalline deposit in the body, such as a kidney stone or gallstone.
EXAMPLE
Die Schmerzen wurden durch einen Nierenstein verursacht.
The pain was caused by a kidney stone.
Usage tips
Productive compounds
'Stein' (stone) is a very productive base word in German. You can find it in many words such as 'Grundstein' (foundation stone), 'Meilenstein' (milestone), 'Edelstein' (gemstone), or 'Grabstein' (gravestone).
EXAMPLE
Die Grundsteinlegung für das neue Gebäude ist nächste Woche.
The laying of the foundation stone for the new building is next week.
Countable vs. uncountable
As an individual object, 'der Stein' (stone) is countable (plural: 'die Steine'). As a material, 'Stein' (stone) is uncountable and is used without an article.
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder werfen Steine ins Wasser.
The children are throwing stones into the water.
Context: fruit
In fruit, the hard core is called a 'Stein' (pit/stone). Fruits with such a core, like cherries, peaches, or apricots, are collectively called 'Steinobst' (stone fruit).
EXAMPLE
Vorsicht, die Kirschen haben noch Steine.
Careful, the cherries still have pits.
Context: games
In many board games, a game piece is called a 'Stein' (piece/stone). This is the case, for example, in checkers, Nine Men's Morris, or the Asian game Go.
EXAMPLE
Wenn du jetzt nicht aufpasst, verlierst du einen Stein.
If you don't pay attention now, you'll lose a piece.
Fixed expression: 'Stein des Anstoßes'
The expression 'der Stein des Anstoßes' (the sticking point / bone of contention) is a fixed idiom. It refers to the main cause of an argument or general annoyance.
EXAMPLE
Die neue Parkgebühr war der Stein des Anstoßes für die Anwohner.
The new parking fee was the sticking point for the residents.
Fixed expression: 'einen Stein im Brett haben'
The idiom 'einen Stein im Brett bei jemandem haben' means that someone is very popular with that person and enjoys their trust.
EXAMPLE
Seit er dem Chef geholfen hat, hat er einen Stein im Brett bei ihm.
Ever since he helped the boss, he has been in his good books.
Context: medicine
In a medical context, 'Stein' (stone) refers to a solid deposit in the body. It is usually used as part of a compound word such as 'Nierenstein' (kidney stone) or 'Gallenstein' (gallstone).
EXAMPLE
Er hatte starke Schmerzen wegen eines Nierensteins.
He had severe pain because of a kidney stone.
Compare with
Stein vs Figur
figure
In board games, both words can refer to a movable game piece. Der Stein is the usual term in games such as checkers, Nine Men’s Morris, or Go, while die Figur is more general and refers to a small represented game piece. Use the term used by the particular game.
Stein
Bei Dame darf ich meinen Stein diagonal nach vorne bewegen.
In checkers, I’m allowed to move my piece diagonally forward.
Figur
Beim Schach zieht der Spieler seine Figur vorsichtig über das Brett.
In chess, the player moves their piece carefully across the board.
In real life
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