sterblich
When we say something is "sterblich," we mean it's mortal or subject to death. It's often used when talking about living beings, especially humans, to emphasize their finite existence.
You might encounter it in philosophical discussions or literature where the fleeting nature of life is a theme. For example, you could say, "Alle Menschen sind sterblich," meaning "All humans are mortal."
It's a foundational concept in many cultures, highlighting the contrast with immortality. While it's a B2 word, its meaning is pretty straightforward.
§ How to use 'sterblich' in a sentence
The German adjective 'sterblich' means 'mortal'. It's used just like its English counterpart to describe anything that is subject to death. This includes living beings, but also sometimes things in a more figurative sense, like a love that isn't eternal. Remember, as an adjective, it will change its ending depending on the gender, case, and number of the noun it describes. This is a key part of German grammar you should always pay attention to.
- Definition
- Mortal; subject to death.
§ Basic Sentence Structure
You can use 'sterblich' directly before a noun, or with a verb like 'sein' (to be) or 'werden' (to become).
Alle Menschen sind sterblich.
All humans are mortal.
Das ist die sterbliche Hülle.
That is the mortal coil (lit. mortal shell).
§ Using 'sterblich' with different cases
Let's look at how 'sterblich' changes with different cases. This is crucial for sounding natural in German.
- Nominative: When 'sterblich' is the subject or describes the subject.
Ein sterblicher Mensch hat Grenzen.
A mortal human has limits.
- Accusative: When 'sterblich' describes the direct object.
Ich sehe einen sterblichen Fehler.
I see a mortal error.
- Dative: When 'sterblich' describes the indirect object.
Wir geben dem sterblichen König die Krone.
We give the crown to the mortal king.
- Genitive: When 'sterblich' describes possession.
Die Geschichte eines sterblichen Helden.
The story of a mortal hero.
§ Common phrases and nuances
While 'sterblich' most commonly refers to living beings, you might hear it in more poetic or figurative contexts. You won't often use it with prepositions in a way that significantly changes its meaning, but it will always agree with the noun following the preposition.
Trotz der sterblichen Natur der Liebe, ist sie wunderschön.
Despite the mortal nature of love, it is beautiful.
Understanding adjective endings is key here. Practice with different nouns and cases to get comfortable. Don't just memorize 'sterblich'; understand how it fits into the German grammar system.
Cómo usarlo
Sterblich is used in German much like 'mortal' in English. It refers to living beings that are subject to death. You can use it to describe humans, animals, or other transient things. For example, 'Wir sind alle sterblich' (We are all mortal). It can also be used in a more poetic or literary sense to refer to the 'mortal coil' or 'mortal remains' of a person, as in 'die sterbliche Hülle'.
A common mistake is confusing 'sterblich' with 'tödlich'. While both relate to death, 'tödlich' means 'deadly' or 'fatal', describing something that *causes* death (e.g., 'ein tödlicher Unfall' - a fatal accident). 'Sterblich' describes something that *can die*. Remember, 'sterblich' is about being subject to death, and 'tödlich' is about causing death. Don't use 'sterblich' to describe something that is lethal.
Ejemplo
Der Mensch ist ein sterbliches Wesen.
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abergläubisch
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Altar
A2altar
anbeten
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andächtig
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auferstehen
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B2Es el regreso a la vida después de la muerte, un concepto central en muchas tradiciones religiosas.
aufklären
A2Aclarar o informar significa explicar algo detalladamente para que los demás puedan comprenderlo mejor.
