der Stock
stick
A long, thin piece of wood that comes from a tree or branch and is often used as a walking stick, for hiking, or as a tool.
EXAMPLE
Der alte Mann stützte sich beim Gehen auf einen Stock.
The old man leaned on a stick while walking.
der Stock
stick / floor
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Meanings
der Stock
floor
A floor or story in a building.
EXAMPLE
Wir wohnen im vierten Stock, zum Glück gibt es einen Aufzug.
We live on the fourth floor; luckily there is an elevator.
der Stock
stock
The main stem of a plant, especially a perennial one such as a grapevine.
EXAMPLE
Die Trauben von diesem alten Stock sind besonders aromatisch.
The grapes from this old stock are especially aromatic.
der Stock
hive
A home for a colony of bees; a beehive.
EXAMPLE
Der Imker kontrollierte, ob im Stock noch genug Honig für den Winter war.
The beekeeper checked whether there was still enough honey in the hive for the winter.
Usage tips
False friend
'Der Stock' is a false friend of the English word 'stock'. Depending on context, the German word means 'Gehstock' (walking stick) or 'Stockwerk' (floor/story), but never 'inventory' or 'share/stock'.
EXAMPLE
Ich brauche einen Stock zum Wandern in den Bergen.
I need a stick for hiking in the mountains.
Context clue
The two most common meanings, 'Gehstock' (walking stick) and 'Stockwerk' (floor/story), are easy to recognize from context. If people are talking about buildings or apartments, a floor is meant. If it is about walking, hiking, or wood, a stick is meant.
EXAMPLE
Er wohnt im dritten Stock.
He lives on the third floor.
Part of compounds
The word 'Stock' is a common component of compound nouns. Examples are 'Gehstock' (walking stick), 'Wanderstock' (hiking pole), 'Bienenstock' (beehive), or 'Weinstock' (grapevine).
EXAMPLE
Für die Wanderung packte er seine Wanderstöcke ein.
For the hike, he packed his hiking poles.
Movement and location
With the meaning 'Stockwerk' (floor/story), the preposition is important. 'Im ersten Stock' (on the first floor, dative) describes a location, while 'in den ersten Stock' (to the first floor, accusative) describes movement to that place.
EXAMPLE
Die Toilette befindet sich im zweiten Stock.
The restroom is located on the second floor.
Counting floors
Floors are always counted with ordinal numbers (first, second, third...). The 'erste Stock' (first floor) is the first upper floor, meaning the floor above the ground floor.
EXAMPLE
Meine Wohnung liegt im ersten Stock, direkt über dem Erdgeschoss.
My apartment is on the first floor, directly above the ground floor.
Compare with
Stock vs Stamm
trunk / tribe
Stock and Stamm can both refer to the important main part of a plant or tree. Stock is used especially for a perennial plant, such as a grapevine, while Stamm refers to the thick, woody main part of a tree. Therefore, use Stock for such plants and Stamm for trees.
Stock
Der Winzer schnitt im Frühjahr den alten Stock der Weinrebe zurück.
In spring, the winegrower pruned back the old grapevine stock.
Stamm
Der Förster untersuchte im Frühjahr den dicken Stamm des alten Baumes.
In spring, the forester examined the thick trunk of the old tree.
In real life
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