01
die Stelle
place
A specific place, point, or spot in a room or area.
example
Genau an dieser Stelle stand früher das alte Rathaus.
The old town hall used to stand exactly at this spot.
die Stelle
place / position
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Context clue
The most common meanings are 'Ort' (place) and 'Arbeitsplatz' (job). The context makes the difference clear: verbs like 'suchen' (to look for), 'bewerben' (to apply), or adjectives like 'frei' (vacant) point to a job. Prepositions like 'an dieser' (at this) or 'an jener' (at that) point to a place.
EXAMPLE
An dieser Stelle stand früher ein Baum.
A tree used to stand at this spot.
Typical collocations
In the context of a job, 'Stelle' (position/job) is often combined with certain verbs: you can 'suchen' (look for), 'finden' (find), 'annehmen' (accept), 'antreten' (start), or 'kündigen' (quit) a position.
EXAMPLE
Er hat sich auf drei verschiedene Stellen beworben.
He applied for three different positions.
Context clue
When 'Stelle' means a section, it always refers to some kind of medium. Signal words in the context include 'Buch' (book), 'Text' (text), 'Vertrag' (contract), 'Film' (film), or 'Lied' (song).
EXAMPLE
Diese Stelle im Film habe ich nicht ganz verstanden.
I didn't fully understand this part of the film.
Typical collocations
In the meaning of 'Behörde' (authority) or 'Institution' (institution), 'Stelle' (office/authority) rarely stands alone. It is usually specified by adjectives such as 'offizielle Stelle' (official office), 'zuständige Stelle' (responsible authority), or 'amtliche Stelle' (official authority).
EXAMPLE
Bitte wenden Sie sich an die dafür zuständige Stelle.
Please contact the authority responsible for that.
Fixed expression
The expression 'an jemandes Stelle' (in someone's place) is used to give advice. It introduces a subjunctive II sentence and means 'If I were you, ...'.
EXAMPLE
An deiner Stelle würde ich das Angebot annehmen.
In your place, I would accept the offer.
Context clue
This meaning is limited to the context of numbers and mathematics. You can recognize it in phrases like 'Stelle nach dem Komma' (decimal place) or in connection with number words.
EXAMPLE
Die Zahl hat fünf Stellen vor dem Komma.
The number has five digits before the decimal point.
Fixed expression
The expression 'auf der Stelle' (on the spot) is a fixed expression and means 'sofort' (immediately) or 'unverzüglich' (without delay). It is often used in connection with a quick reaction or consequence.
EXAMPLE
Als sie den Fehler bemerkte, korrigierte sie ihn auf der Stelle.
When she noticed the mistake, she corrected it on the spot.
Compare with
Stelle vs statt
instead of
'statt' and 'die Stelle' can both express that something or someone is being replaced. However, 'statt' is a preposition and comes directly before the thing that is not chosen or not done: 'statt Kaffee' (instead of coffee). 'die Stelle' is a noun and appears in phrases like 'an deiner Stelle' (in your place) or 'an seiner Stelle' (in his place). Then it means: if I were you, or as a replacement for this person. They can be confused because both have to do with 'anstelle von' (in place of). A practical rule: for a simple alternative, you usually use 'statt'; for a person's perspective, you use 'an jemandes Stelle' (in someone's place).
Stelle
An deiner Stelle würde ich vor dem Termin noch einmal anrufen.
In your place, I would call again before the appointment.
statt
Heute nimmt Lisa den Bus statt des Fahrrads.
Today Lisa takes the bus instead of the bike.
In real life
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