At the A1 level, 'steigen' is introduced as a basic verb of motion and change. You will primarily learn it in the context of physical movement, such as climbing stairs or a mountain, and in everyday observations like the weather. It is essential to memorize its basic present tense conjugation: ich steige, du steigst, er/sie/es steigt, wir steigen, ihr steigt, sie steigen. You will also encounter its crucial compound forms early on, specifically 'einsteigen' (to get in/board) and 'aussteigen' (to get out/exit), which are necessary for using public transportation like buses and trains. At this stage, focus on simple sentences. For example, 'Wir steigen in den Bus ein' (We board the bus) or 'Die Temperatur steigt' (The temperature is rising). Understanding that 'steigen' means an upward movement or an increase is the core goal here. You do not need to worry about complex past tenses yet, but recognizing the word when you hear it in announcements or see it in simple texts is very important for basic navigation and comprehension in a German-speaking environment.
Moving to the A2 level, your understanding of 'steigen' expands to include past tenses and more abstract concepts. You must now learn the Perfekt tense, which is crucial: 'ist gestiegen'. Remembering to use 'sein' instead of 'haben' is a key milestone at this level. You will start using 'steigen' to describe past events, such as 'Gestern sind wir auf den Berg gestiegen' (Yesterday we climbed the mountain). Additionally, you will see 'steigen' used more frequently with numbers, prices, and statistics in simple news contexts. You will learn to use prepositions with it, specifically 'um' (by) and 'auf' (to). For instance, 'Der Preis ist um zwei Euro gestiegen' (The price rose by two euros). This allows you to describe changes and trends, which is a common requirement in A2 speaking and writing tasks. You will also become more comfortable with 'umsteigen' (to transfer), completing your basic public transport vocabulary. Practice distinguishing between the literal climbing and the figurative rising of numbers.
At the B1 level, 'steigen' becomes a tool for expressing opinions, summarizing news, and discussing broader societal trends. You are expected to use both the Perfekt ('ist gestiegen') and the Präteritum ('stieg') confidently, especially in written German or when telling a story. The vocabulary around 'steigen' broadens. You will discuss inflation, unemployment rates, and environmental issues where 'steigen' is the standard verb. For example, 'Die Arbeitslosigkeit stieg im letzten Jahr' (Unemployment rose last year). You will also learn to differentiate 'steigen' (intransitive, things rise on their own) from 'erhöhen' (transitive, someone raises something). This distinction is vital for grammatical accuracy. Furthermore, you will encounter more compound verbs based on 'steigen', such as 'aufsteigen' (to be promoted/to rise up) and 'absteigen' (to be relegated/to descend). Your ability to understand and produce texts analyzing simple graphs or charts will rely heavily on your mastery of 'steigen' and its associated prepositions 'um' and 'auf'.
In the B2 level, fluency and precision are paramount. 'Steigen' is used in complex sentence structures, including passive voice constructions and hypothetical scenarios (Konjunktiv II). You will use it in professional and academic contexts, discussing economic forecasts, statistical analyses, and detailed reports. The vocabulary becomes more sophisticated; instead of just saying 'Die Preise steigen', you might say 'Die Lebenshaltungskosten sind drastisch gestiegen' (The cost of living has risen drastically). You will also master idiomatic expressions involving 'steigen', such as 'jemandem zu Kopf steigen' (to go to someone's head, referring to success or alcohol) or 'auf die Barrikaden steigen' (to mount the barricades/protest). Understanding these idioms is crucial for listening comprehension and reading native-level texts like newspapers and literature. You are expected to effortlessly switch between 'steigen', 'zunehmen', 'wachsen', and 'sich erhöhen', choosing the exact right synonym for the specific nuance you wish to convey in essays and debates.
At the C1 level, your use of 'steigen' should be indistinguishable from a native speaker's. You will navigate highly specialized texts, such as financial reports, scientific papers, and complex literature, where 'steigen' and its derivatives are used with subtle nuances. You will encounter advanced nominalizations, such as 'das Steigen der Meeresspiegel' (the rising of sea levels) or 'eine stetig steigende Tendenz' (a steadily rising trend). You will use 'steigen' in rhetorical devices and complex metaphorical contexts. For instance, describing a politician's rising popularity or the escalating tension in a geopolitical crisis. You will also be perfectly comfortable with highly specific compound verbs like 'hineinsteigen' (to get deeply into something, like a topic) or 'emporsteigen' (to ascend, often used in a poetic or majestic sense). At this level, 'steigen' is not just a vocabulary word; it is a structural element used to build sophisticated arguments, analyze complex data, and express nuanced abstract thought with complete grammatical perfection.
At the C2 mastery level, 'steigen' is fully integrated into your intuitive grasp of the German language. You manipulate the verb and all its prefixes, idioms, and nominalized forms with absolute effortless precision. You understand the historical and etymological weight of the word in classical German literature and poetry, where 'steigen' might be used to describe the ascent of the soul or the rising of a celestial body in a highly stylized manner. You can spontaneously generate complex, multi-clause sentences analyzing intricate socio-economic models using 'steigen' alongside a vast array of synonyms and antonyms to avoid repetition and maintain high stylistic quality. You recognize regional variations and subtle register shifts, knowing exactly when 'steigen' sounds formal, colloquial, or poetic. Your command of the language allows you to play with the word, perhaps creating novel metaphors or understanding deeply embedded cultural references that rely on the concept of 'steigen', demonstrating a profound and comprehensive mastery of German.

Steigen 30초 만에

  • Physical movement upwards (climbing stairs, mountains).
  • Abstract increase in value or amount (prices, temperatures rising).
  • Irregular conjugation: steigt, stieg, ist gestiegen (uses 'sein').
  • Base for transport verbs: einsteigen (board), aussteigen (exit).
The German verb 'steigen' is a highly versatile and frequently used word that primarily translates to 'to climb' or 'to rise' in English. Understanding its multifaceted applications is essential for mastering German at any level, from basic A1 interactions to complex C2 economic discussions. At its core, 'steigen' describes an upward movement. This can be a literal, physical movement, such as climbing a mountain, walking up the stairs, or stepping into a vehicle. It can also be a figurative or abstract upward movement, such as prices increasing, temperatures rising, or someone advancing in their career. The physical aspect of 'steigen' is often associated with effort and elevation. When you climb a hill, you are using your body to move against gravity, and 'steigen' perfectly captures this action.
Literal Climbing
Moving physically upwards, like climbing stairs or a mountain.

Wir steigen auf den hohen Berg.

However, the abstract usage is equally, if not more, common in daily life. When watching the news, you will constantly hear about inflation, stock markets, or weather patterns. In all these contexts, 'steigen' is the go-to verb. If the inflation rate goes up, 'die Inflation steigt'. If the temperature increases during summer, 'die Temperatur steigt'. This makes it an indispensable word for reading newspapers or watching German broadcasts. Furthermore, 'steigen' serves as the base for many crucial separable verbs. For instance, 'einsteigen' means to board or get into a vehicle, 'aussteigen' means to get off or exit a vehicle, and 'umsteigen' means to transfer or change trains. These derivatives are vital for navigating public transportation in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland.
Abstract Rising
Used for numbers, prices, temperatures, and levels increasing.

Die Preise für Lebensmittel steigen jedes Jahr.

It is also important to note the grammatical behavior of 'steigen'. Because it indicates a change of state or motion, it forms its perfect tense with the auxiliary verb 'sein' rather than 'haben'. Therefore, you say 'Ich bin gestiegen' (I have climbed/risen), not 'Ich habe gestiegen'. This is a common stumbling block for learners, but mastering it early on will significantly improve your grammatical accuracy. The verb also appears in various idiomatic expressions. For example, 'jemandem aufs Dach steigen' literally means to climb onto someone's roof, but idiomatically it means to reprimand someone or give them a piece of one's mind. Another common phrase is 'in die Luft steigen', which can mean to take off (like an airplane) or to explode with anger.
Prefix Variations
Adding prefixes changes the meaning entirely, like einsteigen (board) or aussteigen (exit).

Das Flugzeug wird bald in den Himmel steigen.

Die Spannung im Raum begann zu steigen.

Das Wasser im Fluss steigt nach dem starken Regen.

In summary, 'steigen' is a dynamic verb that bridges the physical world of movement with the abstract world of data and emotions. By understanding its core meaning of upward trajectory, you can easily deduce the meaning of its many derivatives and idiomatic uses, making it a powerful tool in your German vocabulary arsenal.
Using 'steigen' correctly involves understanding its conjugation, its auxiliary verb in the perfect tense, and the prepositions it commonly pairs with. As a strong (irregular) verb, its stem vowel changes in the past tenses. The present tense is regular in its endings but watch the stem: ich steige, du steigst, er/sie/es steigt, wir steigen, ihr steigt, sie/Sie steigen. The simple past (Präteritum) changes the 'ei' to 'ie': ich stieg, du stiegst, er/sie/es stieg, wir stiegen, ihr stiegt, sie/Sie stiegen. The past participle is 'gestiegen'.
Conjugation Pattern
Steigen follows the ei - ie - ie vowel change pattern, similar to bleiben or schreiben.

Gestern stieg ich auf den Turm.

The most critical grammatical rule to remember is that 'steigen' requires the auxiliary verb 'sein' in the Perfekt and Plusquamperfekt tenses. This is because it denotes a change of location or a change of state. You must say 'Die Preise sind gestiegen' (The prices have risen) and never 'Die Preise haben gestiegen'. When 'steigen' is used to mean physical climbing, it is often followed by the preposition 'auf' (onto) with the accusative case, indicating the destination of the climb. For example, 'Wir steigen auf den Berg' (We are climbing the mountain). If you are climbing over something, you use 'über' with the accusative: 'Er steigt über den Zaun' (He climbs over the fence).
Prepositions
Commonly used with 'auf' (onto) or 'in' (into) followed by the accusative case for movement.

Die Katze steigt auf den Baum.

In abstract contexts, such as prices or temperatures, 'steigen' is usually used without a preposition, simply acting as an intransitive verb. 'Die Temperatur steigt' (The temperature is rising). If you want to specify by how much something has risen, you use the preposition 'um' (by): 'Die Preise sind um 5 Prozent gestiegen' (Prices have risen by 5 percent). If you want to specify the new level it has reached, you use 'auf' (to): 'Die Temperatur steigt auf 30 Grad' (The temperature is rising to 30 degrees).
Abstract Prepositions
Use 'um' to express the margin of increase and 'auf' to express the target value.

Die Aktien steigen um zehn Prozent.

Die Kosten steigen auf ein Rekordhoch.

Der Ballon steigt in die Luft.

Mastering these subtle differences in preposition usage will elevate your German from a beginner level to a much more natural, native-sounding proficiency. Always pay attention to the context to determine whether 'steigen' is being used literally or figuratively, as this dictates the accompanying grammar.
You will encounter the verb 'steigen' in almost every facet of German life, making it a truly ubiquitous word. In everyday conversation, it frequently appears in the context of weather. During the transition from spring to summer, a common topic of small talk is how the temperatures are rising. You might hear someone say, 'Hoffentlich steigen die Temperaturen am Wochenende' (Hopefully the temperatures will rise on the weekend).
Weather Forecasts
Meteorologists constantly use 'steigen' to describe warming weather or increasing pressure.

Morgen steigen die Temperaturen auf 25 Grad.

In the realm of news and media, 'steigen' is arguably one of the most common verbs used in economic reporting. Whether it's the Tagesschau (the main German news program) or a financial newspaper like the Handelsblatt, reporters constantly discuss rising inflation ('die steigende Inflation'), rising stock prices ('die Aktienkurse steigen'), or increasing unemployment rates ('die Arbeitslosenquote steigt'). Another very common environment where you will hear 'steigen' and its derivatives is public transportation. In Germany, the train network (Deutsche Bahn) is a central part of life. Announcements at train stations and inside trains will constantly instruct passengers to board ('Bitte einsteigen'), exit ('Bitte aussteigen'), or transfer ('Bitte umsteigen'). While these are compound verbs, the root 'steigen' is the core action.
Public Transport
Used in compounds like einsteigen, aussteigen, and umsteigen for trains and buses.

Wir müssen am nächsten Bahnhof in den Bus umsteigen.

Sports and outdoor activities also heavily feature the word. Hiking and mountaineering are incredibly popular in German-speaking countries, especially in the Alps. If you are hiking with German friends, you will talk about climbing the mountain ('auf den Berg steigen'). In sports leagues, a team that gets promoted to a higher league is said to 'aufsteigen'.
Sports Context
Used to describe a team advancing in league rankings.

Unsere Mannschaft wird dieses Jahr in die erste Liga aufsteigen.

Der Bergsteiger steigt langsam den steilen Pfad hinauf.

Die Zahl der Besucher steigt stetig an.

Finally, in professional settings, 'steigen' is used to discuss career advancement or company growth. You might hear about someone climbing the career ladder ('die Karriereleiter hinaufsteigen') or a company's profits rising ('die Gewinne steigen'). Because of its broad applicability across physical actions, economic data, weather, and career progress, 'steigen' is a word you will hear daily in any German-speaking environment.
When learning 'steigen', students frequently encounter a few specific pitfalls. The most glaring and common mistake is using the wrong auxiliary verb in the perfect tense. Because English speakers say 'I have climbed' or 'The prices have risen', there is a strong natural tendency to translate this directly using 'haben' in German, resulting in the incorrect phrase 'Ich habe gestiegen' or 'Die Preise haben gestiegen'. This is grammatically incorrect. 'Steigen' always requires 'sein' as its auxiliary verb because it indicates a change of state or a movement from one place to another. The correct forms are 'Ich bin gestiegen' and 'Die Preise sind gestiegen'.
Auxiliary Verb Error
Using 'haben' instead of 'sein' in the Perfekt tense is the most common mistake.

Falsch: Die Kosten haben gestiegen. Richtig: Die Kosten sind gestiegen.

Another frequent error involves the confusion between 'steigen' and 'erhöhen'. While both can translate to 'increase' or 'rise' in English, they function differently in German syntax. 'Steigen' is an intransitive verb, meaning it does not take a direct object. The subject itself performs the action of rising. For example, 'Die Preise steigen' (The prices rise). You cannot say 'Ich steige die Preise' to mean 'I raise the prices'. For that, you must use the transitive verb 'erhöhen', which takes a direct object: 'Ich erhöhe die Preise' (I raise the prices).
Transitive vs Intransitive
Do not use 'steigen' when someone is actively causing the increase; use 'erhöhen' instead.

Der Chef will mein Gehalt nicht erhöhen (not steigen).

Prepositional mistakes are also common. When talking about prices rising *by* a certain amount, learners often use 'von' or 'mit', translating directly from English. The correct preposition is 'um'. So, 'The price rose by 10 euros' is 'Der Preis ist um 10 Euro gestiegen'. If you want to say the price rose *to* a certain amount, use 'auf', not 'zu'. 'The price rose to 100 euros' is 'Der Preis ist auf 100 Euro gestiegen'.
Preposition Errors
Using incorrect prepositions for numerical increases.

Die Miete steigt um 50 Euro.

Die Temperatur steigt auf 35 Grad.

Er steigt in den falschen Zug ein.

Lastly, learners sometimes confuse the past tense forms. Because it is an irregular verb, the Präteritum 'stieg' and the Partizip II 'gestiegen' must be memorized. Applying regular verb endings (like 'steigte' or 'gesteigt') is a hallmark beginner mistake. By focusing on the auxiliary 'sein', the intransitive nature of the verb, the correct prepositions 'um' and 'auf', and the irregular conjugation, you can avoid the vast majority of errors associated with 'steigen'.
While 'steigen' is the most common word for 'to rise' or 'to climb', German has a rich vocabulary with several synonyms and related terms that offer more precision depending on the context. Understanding these nuances will greatly enhance your fluency. A primary synonym in the context of climbing is 'klettern'. However, 'klettern' specifically implies using both hands and feet to ascend, such as rock climbing, climbing a tree, or a child climbing on a jungle gym. 'Steigen', on the other hand, usually implies walking upwards on your feet, like on stairs or a steep path.
Klettern vs Steigen
Klettern requires hands and feet (rock climbing); steigen is mostly walking upwards.

Der Affe kann sehr gut klettern.

When discussing abstract increases, such as prices, numbers, or levels, 'zunehmen' is a very common alternative to 'steigen'. 'Zunehmen' literally means 'to take on' or 'to increase' and is often used for weight gain ('Ich habe zugenommen') or an increase in volume or intensity ('Der Wind nimmt zu'). While you can say 'Die Preise steigen', you can also say 'Die Preise nehmen zu', although 'steigen' is more idiomatic for prices specifically.
Zunehmen
Means to increase in size, amount, or intensity, often used for weight.

Der Lärm auf der Straße nimmt zu.

Another related word is 'wachsen', which translates to 'to grow'. This is used for organic growth, like plants, children, or the economy. 'Die Wirtschaft wächst' (The economy is growing) is similar in meaning to 'Die Wirtschaft steigt', but 'wachsen' emphasizes the organic, developmental nature of the increase, whereas 'steigen' simply states the upward trajectory of the numbers.
Wachsen
To grow, used for living things or abstract concepts like the economy.

Die Pflanze wächst sehr schnell im Sommer.

For the opposite meaning (antonyms), 'sinken' and 'fallen' are the primary verbs. 'Sinken' means to sink or decrease, often used for prices, temperatures, or ships. 'Die Preise sinken' (Prices are falling). 'Fallen' means to fall, which can be literal (falling off a bike) or abstract (temperatures falling).

Die Temperaturen sinken im Winter drastisch.

Das Thermometer zeigt, dass die Hitze steigt.

By distinguishing between steigen, klettern, zunehmen, and wachsen, you can express upward movement and growth with native-like precision.

How Formal Is It?

난이도

알아야 할 문법

Perfekt with 'sein' for verbs of motion/change of state.

Strong verb vowel changes (ei -> ie -> ie).

Prepositions with accusative for direction (auf den Berg).

Separable prefixes (ein-, aus-, um-).

Intransitive verbs (cannot take a direct accusative object).

수준별 예문

1

Wir steigen in den Bus.

We board the bus.

Einsteigen is a separable verb, but here we use the base verb with a preposition for simplicity at A1.

2

Die Sonne steigt am Morgen.

The sun rises in the morning.

Used here to show upward movement of celestial bodies.

3

Ich steige die Treppe hoch.

I climb up the stairs.

Steigen used with an accusative object to indicate the path.

4

Der Preis steigt.

The price is rising.

Simple subject-verb sentence showing abstract increase.

5

Wir steigen auf den Berg.

We climb the mountain.

Auf + accusative indicates the destination of the climb.

6

Das Wasser steigt.

The water is rising.

Intransitive use showing an increase in level.

7

Bitte steigen Sie ein!

Please get in/board!

Imperative form of the separable verb einsteigen.

8

Der Ballon steigt in die Luft.

The balloon rises into the air.

In + accusative showing direction of movement.

1

Gestern sind wir auf den Turm gestiegen.

Yesterday we climbed the tower.

Perfekt tense requires the auxiliary verb 'sein'.

2

Die Temperatur ist um 5 Grad gestiegen.

The temperature has risen by 5 degrees.

Use the preposition 'um' to indicate the amount of increase.

3

Ich muss am Bahnhof umsteigen.

I have to transfer at the train station.

Umsteigen is a crucial separable verb for travel.

4

Die Kosten für das Haus steigen schnell.

The costs for the house are rising quickly.

Adverb 'schnell' modifies the verb to show the rate of change.

5

Er stieg aus dem Auto.

He got out of the car.

Präteritum (simple past) form 'stieg' used with 'aus' + dative.

6

Die Zahl der Studenten steigt jedes Jahr.

The number of students rises every year.

Used to describe demographic or statistical trends.

7

Wir sind früh in den Zug eingestiegen.

We boarded the train early.

Perfekt of einsteigen: sind eingestiegen.

8

Der Rauch steigt aus dem Schornstein.

Smoke rises from the chimney.

Aus + dative indicates the origin of the upward movement.

1

Die Inflationsrate stieg im letzten Quartal unerwartet an.

The inflation rate rose unexpectedly in the last quarter.

Präteritum used for reporting past economic data.

2

Wenn die Nachfrage steigt, werden die Produkte teurer.

If demand rises, the products become more expensive.

Used in a conditional 'wenn' clause to show cause and effect.

3

Der Fußballverein ist endlich in die erste Liga aufgestiegen.

The football club has finally been promoted to the first league.

Aufsteigen used in the context of sports promotion.

4

Die Spannung im Kinosaal stieg von Minute zu Minute.

The tension in the cinema rose from minute to minute.

Figurative use describing emotional intensity.

5

Trotz der Krise sind die Gewinne des Unternehmens gestiegen.

Despite the crisis, the company's profits have risen.

Used with 'trotz' (despite) to show a contrast in trends.

6

Ich bin in den falschen Bus gestiegen und habe mich verfahren.

I got on the wrong bus and got lost.

Common everyday narrative using the Perfekt tense.

7

Die Mieten in der Innenstadt steigen kontinuierlich auf neue Rekordwerte.

Rents in the city center are continuously rising to new record levels.

Auf + accusative to show the target level of the increase.

8

Der Wasserspiegel des Flusses ist nach dem Regen gefährlich gestiegen.

The water level of the river has risen dangerously after the rain.

Adverb 'gefährlich' emphasizes the severity of the rise.

1

Es ist zu befürchten, dass die Arbeitslosenzahlen im Herbst weiter steigen werden.

It is to be feared that unemployment figures will continue to rise in the autumn.

Futur I tense used in a complex sentence expressing probability.

2

Der Erfolg ist ihm schnell zu Kopf gestiegen.

Success quickly went to his head.

Common idiom meaning someone has become arrogant due to success.

3

Die Aktienkurse stiegen sprunghaft an, nachdem die Fusion bekannt gegeben wurde.

Stock prices rose by leaps and bounds after the merger was announced.

Use of 'sprunghaft' (by leaps and bounds) for vivid description.

4

Man muss die Treppe hinaufsteigen, um zur Aussichtsplattform zu gelangen.

One must climb up the stairs to reach the viewing platform.

Hinaufsteigen emphasizes the upward direction explicitly.

5

Die Kriminalitätsrate ist in diesem Viertel erfreulicherweise nicht gestiegen.

Fortunately, the crime rate has not risen in this neighborhood.

Use of sentence adverbs like 'erfreulicherweise' to comment on the verb.

6

Wir müssen verhindern, dass die globalen Temperaturen um mehr als 1,5 Grad steigen.

We must prevent global temperatures from rising by more than 1.5 degrees.

Dass-clause used to express a goal or necessity.

7

Der junge Politiker ist schnell in der Hierarchie der Partei aufgestiegen.

The young politician rose quickly in the party's hierarchy.

Aufsteigen used for career advancement.

8

Die Wahrscheinlichkeit eines Stromausfalls steigt mit jedem weiteren Hitzetag.

The probability of a power outage rises with every additional hot day.

Expressing correlation between two variables.

1

Angesichts der drohenden Rezession ist die Nervosität an den Finanzmärkten spürbar gestiegen.

In light of the looming recession, nervousness on the financial markets has noticeably risen.

Advanced preposition 'angesichts' paired with abstract noun 'Nervosität'.

2

Die stetig steigenden Anforderungen im Berufsleben führen zu einer Zunahme von Burnout-Erkrankungen.

The steadily rising demands in professional life lead to an increase in burnout illnesses.

Partizip I 'steigend' used as an adjective.

3

Der Autor lässt seinen Protagonisten metaphorisch in den Olymp der Literatur aufsteigen.

The author lets his protagonist metaphorically ascend to the Olympus of literature.

Metaphorical and literary use of 'aufsteigen'.

4

Es gilt als erwiesen, dass der Meeresspiegel in den kommenden Jahrzehnten unweigerlich steigen wird.

It is considered proven that the sea level will inevitably rise in the coming decades.

Formal academic phrasing 'Es gilt als erwiesen, dass...'.

5

Die Bürger stiegen auf die Barrikaden, um gegen die ungerechte Steuerreform zu protestieren.

The citizens mounted the barricades to protest against the unjust tax reform.

Idiom 'auf die Barrikaden steigen' meaning to rebel or protest strongly.

6

Mit zunehmendem Alter steigt das Risiko für bestimmte Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankungen exponentiell an.

With increasing age, the risk of certain cardiovascular diseases rises exponentially.

Scientific register using 'exponentiell ansteigen'.

7

Der Adler stieg majestätisch in die Lüfte empor und verschwand in den Wolken.

The eagle ascended majestically into the air and disappeared into the clouds.

Poetic verb 'emporsteigen' for a majestic ascent.

8

Die Immobilienpreise sind in astronomische Höhen gestiegen, was Wohnraum unerschwinglich macht.

Real estate prices have risen to astronomical heights, making housing unaffordable.

Hyperbolic expression 'in astronomische Höhen'.

1

Die Diskursintensität bezüglich klimapolitischer Maßnahmen ist im Vorfeld der Wahlen signifikant gestiegen.

The intensity of discourse regarding climate policy measures has risen significantly in the run-up to the elections.

Highly academic vocabulary and complex nominal style.

2

Ihm stieg die Zornesröte ins Gesicht, als er die infamen Anschuldigungen vernahm.

The flush of anger rose to his face when he heard the infamous accusations.

Literary idiom describing a physical reaction to emotion.

3

Die Kurve der Neuinfektionen stieg derart steil an, dass sofortige Restriktionen unumgänglich wurden.

The curve of new infections rose so steeply that immediate restrictions became unavoidable.

Consecutive clause with 'derart... dass' for emphasis.

4

Aus den Ruinen der alten Ordnung stieg eine neue, radikalere Bewegung empor.

From the ruins of the old order, a new, more radical movement arose.

Metaphorical, historical narrative style.

5

Trotz massiver Interventionen der Zentralbank stieg die Inflationsrate unaufhaltsam weiter.

Despite massive interventions by the central bank, the inflation rate continued to rise unstoppably.

Economic analysis using advanced adverbs like 'unaufhaltsam'.

6

Der Duft von frisch gebrühtem Kaffee stieg ihr in die Nase und weckte ihre Lebensgeister.

The scent of freshly brewed coffee rose into her nose and awakened her spirits.

Sensory description using 'steigen' for smells.

7

Die Aktie vollzog eine beispiellose Rallye und stieg binnen weniger Stunden um ein Vielfaches ihres Wertes.

The stock underwent an unprecedented rally and rose by a multiple of its value within a few hours.

Financial jargon 'Rallye vollziehen' and 'um ein Vielfaches'.

8

In der Hierarchie der Bedürfnisse steigen wir von der physischen Sicherung zur Selbstverwirklichung auf.

In the hierarchy of needs, we ascend from physical security to self-actualization.

Philosophical/psychological context using 'aufsteigen'.

자주 쓰는 조합

die Preise steigen
die Temperatur steigt
die Arbeitslosigkeit steigt
in den Zug einsteigen
auf den Berg steigen
die Kosten steigen
die Spannung steigt
steil steigen
sprunghaft steigen
kontinuierlich steigen

자주 혼동되는 단어

Steigen vs erhöhen (to raise - transitive)

Steigen vs klettern (to rock climb)

Steigen vs wachsen (to grow)

혼동하기 쉬운

Steigen vs

Steigen vs

Steigen vs

Steigen vs

Steigen vs

문장 패턴

사용법

note

While 'steigen' means to climb, for rock climbing specifically, use 'klettern'. 'Steigen' implies walking up an incline or stairs.

자주 하는 실수
  • Using 'haben' instead of 'sein' in the perfect tense (Ich habe gestiegen -> wrong).
  • Using 'steigen' transitively to mean 'raise' (Ich steige den Preis -> wrong, use erhöhen).
  • Using 'von' or 'mit' instead of 'um' for numerical increases (Steigt mit 10% -> wrong, use um 10%).
  • Using 'zu' instead of 'auf' for target values (Steigt zu 100€ -> wrong, use auf 100€).
  • Conjugating it as a regular verb in the past (steigte / gesteigt -> wrong, use stieg / gestiegen).

Always use 'sein'

Never forget that 'steigen' uses 'sein' in the Perfekt tense. Say 'ist gestiegen', not 'hat gestiegen'. This is a very common mistake that immediately marks you as a beginner. Practice saying 'Die Preise sind gestiegen' aloud to build muscle memory.

Intransitive vs Transitive

Remember that 'steigen' is intransitive. Things rise on their own (Die Preise steigen). If a person or company is actively raising something, use 'erhöhen' (Die Firma erhöht die Preise). Mixing these up causes confusion.

Um vs Auf

When dealing with numbers, 'um' means 'by' (the difference) and 'auf' means 'to' (the final amount). 'Es steigt um 5 auf 20' means it rises by 5 to reach 20. Mastering this distinction is crucial for business German.

Transport Verbs

Learn the holy trinity of German public transport: einsteigen (board), aussteigen (exit), umsteigen (transfer). They all conjugate exactly like 'steigen' but are separable verbs. 'Ich steige ein', 'Ich stieg aus', 'Ich bin umgestiegen'.

The 'st' sound

In standard German, an 's' followed by a 't' at the beginning of a syllable is pronounced like 'sh-t'. So 'steigen' sounds like 'shtaigen'. Make sure you make a strong 'sh' sound to sound like a native speaker.

Steigen vs Klettern

Don't use 'steigen' if you are talking about rock climbing or climbing a tree like a monkey. Use 'klettern' for that. 'Steigen' is for walking up stairs, hills, or mountains on a path.

Zu Kopf steigen

Impress native speakers by using the idiom 'Der Erfolg ist ihm zu Kopf gestiegen' (Success went to his head). It shows a high level of cultural and linguistic understanding beyond basic vocabulary.

News Indicator

When reading German news, scan for the word 'steigen'. It is a massive indicator that the article is discussing economic trends, inflation, or statistics. It will help you quickly grasp the main idea of the text.

Vary your vocabulary

In written German (B2+), try not to repeat 'steigen' too often. Mix it up with synonyms like 'zunehmen', 'wachsen', or 'ansteigen' to make your writing sound more sophisticated and less repetitive.

Vowel Change Pattern

Group 'steigen' with other verbs that share the same 'ei - ie - ie' vowel change pattern to memorize them faster. Examples include bleiben (blieb, geblieben) and schreiben (schrieb, geschrieben).

암기하기

기억법

Imagine a STag (male deer) climbing up a STeep mountain. STag -> STeep -> STEIgen.

어원

From Middle High German 'stīgen', Old High German 'stīgan', from Proto-Germanic '*stīganą' (to climb, rise).

문화적 맥락

Bergsteigen (mountaineering) is a major sport in the Alps.

Steigende Inflation is a culturally sensitive topic due to historical hyperinflation in Germany.

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

대화 시작하기

"Glaubst du, dass die Preise für Benzin weiter steigen werden?"

"Bist du schon mal auf einen sehr hohen Berg gestiegen?"

"Die Temperaturen steigen endlich, was machst du am Wochenende?"

"Musst du auf dem Weg zur Arbeit oft umsteigen?"

"Warum steigen die Mieten in dieser Stadt so schnell?"

일기 주제

Beschreibe einen Tag, an dem du auf einen Berg gestiegen bist.

Was denkst du über die steigenden Preise im Supermarkt?

Schreibe über eine Situation, in der die Spannung im Raum gestiegen ist.

Wie fühlst du dich, wenn die Temperaturen im Sommer über 30 Grad steigen?

Erkläre, wie man in deiner Stadt mit dem Bus fährt (einsteigen, umsteigen, aussteigen).

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

In German, verbs that express a change of location (movement from A to B) or a change of state require the auxiliary verb 'sein' in the perfect tense. 'Steigen' involves moving upwards or changing from a lower level to a higher level. Therefore, it strictly uses 'sein'. Using 'haben' is a grammatical error.

No, you cannot. 'Steigen' is an intransitive verb, which means it cannot take a direct object. The prices themselves must be the subject: 'Die Preise steigen' (The prices rise). If you want to say that you are actively making the prices higher, you must use the transitive verb 'erhöhen': 'Ich erhöhe die Preise' (I raise the prices).

'Klettern' specifically implies using both your hands and feet to pull yourself up, like rock climbing, climbing a tree, or a child on a playground. 'Steigen' implies ascending primarily by walking on your feet, such as walking up stairs, a steep path, or a mountain trail. If you need ropes, it's 'klettern'.

To express the margin or amount by which something increased, you use the preposition 'um'. The correct translation is 'Der Preis ist um 10% gestiegen'. Do not use 'von' or 'mit', which are common mistakes made by English speakers translating directly.

To express the new, final target value that has been reached after the increase, you use the preposition 'auf'. The correct translation is 'Der Preis ist auf 100 Euro gestiegen'. Do not use 'zu', which is another common direct translation error.

'Einsteigen' is a separable verb derived from 'steigen'. It means to get into or board a vehicle, such as a car, bus, train, or airplane. For example, 'Ich steige in den Zug ein' (I board the train). The prefix 'ein-' moves to the end of the sentence in the present tense.

'Steigen' is a strong, irregular verb. This means its stem vowel changes in the past tenses. The pattern is ei - ie - ie. The present is 'steigt', the simple past (Präteritum) is 'stieg', and the past participle is 'gestiegen'. You must memorize these forms.

Yes, absolutely. It is the standard verb used to describe temperatures going up. You will frequently hear 'Die Temperaturen steigen' in weather forecasts during the spring and summer. It can also be used for air pressure: 'Der Luftdruck steigt'.

This idiom literally translates to 'to climb to someone's head'. It is used in two main ways. First, it can mean that alcohol has gone to someone's head (made them drunk quickly). Second, and more commonly, it means that success or power has made someone arrogant or conceited.

In sports leagues, particularly soccer (Fußball), 'aufsteigen' (a derivative of steigen) is used when a team is promoted to a higher division or league because they performed well. The opposite, being relegated to a lower league, is 'absteigen'.

셀프 테스트 200 질문

writing

Write a simple sentence saying 'The prices rise.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Plural subject + plural verb.

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Plural subject + plural verb.

writing

Write a sentence saying 'We board the bus.' (Use in den Bus)

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Use the separable verb einsteigen.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Use the separable verb einsteigen.

writing

Write 'The temperature has risen' in the Perfekt tense.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Use 'ist' and 'gestiegen'.

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Use 'ist' and 'gestiegen'.

writing

Write 'I got out of the train' in the Perfekt tense. (Use aus dem Zug)

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Perfekt of aussteigen with 'sein'.

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Perfekt of aussteigen with 'sein'.

writing

Write 'The price rose by 5 euros' in the Perfekt tense.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Use preposition 'um'.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Use preposition 'um'.

writing

Write 'The price rose to 100 euros' in the Perfekt tense.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Use preposition 'auf'.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Use preposition 'auf'.

writing

Write a sentence using the idiom 'zu Kopf steigen' (Success went to his head).

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Dative pronoun 'ihm' + idiom in Perfekt.

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Dative pronoun 'ihm' + idiom in Perfekt.

writing

Write 'Unemployment rose continuously' using Präteritum.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Präteritum 'stieg' + adverb 'kontinuierlich'.

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Präteritum 'stieg' + adverb 'kontinuierlich'.

writing

Write a sentence using 'sprunghaft ansteigen' in the past tense.

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Complex vocabulary for sudden increase.

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Complex vocabulary for sudden increase.

writing

Write a nominalized phrase for 'the rising of sea levels'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Nominalized verb + genitive case.

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Nominalized verb + genitive case.

writing

Translate: 'The balloon rises.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Simple present.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Simple present.

writing

Translate: 'Please get in!' (Formal)

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Imperative of einsteigen.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Imperative of einsteigen.

writing

Translate: 'We climbed the mountain.' (Perfekt, use auf den Berg)

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Perfekt with sein + auf + accusative.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Perfekt with sein + auf + accusative.

writing

Translate: 'He transfers in Berlin.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Separable verb umsteigen.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Separable verb umsteigen.

writing

Translate: 'The team was promoted.' (Perfekt)

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Perfekt of aufsteigen.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Perfekt of aufsteigen.

writing

Translate: 'Tension rose.' (Präteritum)

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Präteritum of steigen.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Präteritum of steigen.

writing

Translate: 'The costs have risen drastically.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Adverb drastisch + Perfekt.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Adverb drastisch + Perfekt.

writing

Translate: 'They mounted the barricades.' (Präteritum)

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Idiom in simple past.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Idiom in simple past.

writing

Translate: 'The eagle ascended into the air.' (Präteritum)

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Use emporsteigen for majestic ascent.

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Use emporsteigen for majestic ascent.

writing

Translate: 'He slammed on the brakes.' (Idiom, Perfekt)

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Idiom 'in die Eisen steigen'.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Idiom 'in die Eisen steigen'.

speaking

Say: 'The prices are rising.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Basic present tense.

speaking

Say: 'We board the train.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Separable verb einsteigen.

speaking

Say: 'The temperature has risen.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Perfekt tense with sein.

speaking

Say: 'I have to transfer.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Modal verb + infinitive umsteigen.

speaking

Say: 'The price rose by 10 euros.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Preposition um.

speaking

Say: 'The price rose to 100 euros.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Preposition auf.

speaking

Say: 'Success went to his head.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Idiom.

speaking

Say: 'They protested.' (Use barricades idiom)

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Idiom in Perfekt.

speaking

Say: 'Prices rose by leaps and bounds.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Advanced adverb.

speaking

Say: 'He slammed on the brakes.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Colloquial idiom.

speaking

Say: 'I climb the stairs.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Basic action.

speaking

Say: 'The balloon rises.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Basic present.

speaking

Say: 'We climbed the mountain yesterday.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Perfekt tense.

speaking

Say: 'Please get out here.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Formal imperative.

speaking

Say: 'Unemployment rose.' (Präteritum)

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Simple past.

speaking

Say: 'The team was promoted.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Sports context.

speaking

Say: 'Costs have risen drastically.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Adverb usage.

speaking

Say: 'Tension rose minute by minute.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Figurative use.

speaking

Say: 'The eagle ascended.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Poetic vocabulary.

speaking

Say: 'The rising of the sea level is dangerous.'

Read this aloud:

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Nominalization.

listening

Listen and write: Die Preise steigen.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Basic dictation.

listening

Listen and write: Bitte einsteigen!

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Train announcement dictation.

listening

Listen and write: Die Temperatur ist gestiegen.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Perfekt tense dictation.

listening

Listen and write: Wir müssen umsteigen.

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정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Modal + infinitive dictation.

listening

Listen and write: Der Preis ist um zehn Euro gestiegen.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Preposition dictation.

listening

Listen and write: Die Mannschaft ist aufgestiegen.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Sports context dictation.

listening

Listen and write: Der Erfolg ist ihm zu Kopf gestiegen.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Idiom dictation.

listening

Listen and write: Die Kosten stiegen drastisch.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Präteritum dictation.

listening

Listen and write: Die Kurse stiegen sprunghaft an.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Advanced vocabulary dictation.

listening

Listen and write: Das stetige Steigen bereitet Sorgen.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Nominalization dictation.

listening

Listen and write: Wir steigen auf den Berg.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Basic dictation.

listening

Listen and write: Er stieg aus dem Auto.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Präteritum dictation.

listening

Listen and write: Die Spannung stieg.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Short sentence dictation.

listening

Listen and write: Sie stiegen auf die Barrikaden.

정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:
정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Idiom dictation.

listening

Listen and write: Der Adler stieg empor.

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정답! 아쉬워요. 정답:

Poetic dictation.

/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

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