sterben
to die
To stop living; the end of life in humans, animals, or plants.
EXAMPLE
Nach einem langen Leben ist er friedlich im Schlaf gestorben.
After a long life, he died peacefully in his sleep.
sterben
to die
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Meanings
sterben an
to die of
To die from a specific cause, usually an illness.
EXAMPLE
Viele Menschen starben früher an Infektionskrankheiten.
In the past, many people died of infectious diseases.
sterben
to be dying
Used figuratively to express an extremely strong feeling such as boredom, hunger, or curiosity.
EXAMPLE
Der Film war so uninteressant, ich bin fast vor Langeweile gestorben.
The film was so uninteresting that I almost died of boredom.
sterben
to die
Used figuratively for the end or disappearance of something abstract, such as an idea, a tradition, or a feeling.
EXAMPLE
Man sagt, die Hoffnung stirbt zuletzt.
They say hope dies last.
Usage tips
Perfect tense with 'sein'
The perfect tense of 'sterben' (to die) is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be), because it describes a change of state. A common mistake is using 'haben' (to have).
EXAMPLE
Mein Großvater ist vor fünf Jahren gestorben.
My grandfather died five years ago.
Preposition 'an'
When the cause of death is an illness, the preposition 'an' followed by the dative is used. You die 'an einer Krankheit' (of an illness).
EXAMPLE
Der Patient ist an den Folgen einer Lungenentzündung gestorben.
The patient died from the effects of pneumonia.
Preposition 'vor'
In the figurative sense, to express a very strong feeling, you use the preposition 'vor' with the dative. You die 'vor Langeweile' (of boredom), 'vor Hunger' (of hunger), or 'vor Angst' (of fear).
EXAMPLE
Wann kommt das Essen? Ich sterbe gleich vor Hunger!
When is the food coming? I'm about to die of hunger!
Fixed expression
The proverb 'Die Hoffnung stirbt zuletzt' (hope dies last) is a very well-known fixed expression. It means that you should not give up hope even in difficult situations.
EXAMPLE
Auch wenn es schlecht aussieht, wir suchen weiter. Die Hoffnung stirbt zuletzt.
Even if it looks bad, we'll keep searching. Hope dies last.
Compare with
sterben vs bleiben
to stay / remain
In reports about war or accidents, both bleiben and sterben can express death. Sterben refers to what happened directly. Bleiben, by contrast, is a euphemistic expression tied to this particular context, as in the phrase „auf dem Schlachtfeld bleiben“ (to fall on the battlefield).
sterben
In dem Gefecht starben drei Soldaten.
Three soldiers died in the engagement.
bleiben
In dem Gefecht blieben drei Soldaten auf dem Schlachtfeld.
Three soldiers fell on the battlefield in the engagement.
In real life
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