German Grammar A–Z
Look up German grammar topics A–Z, organized by category and level — with clear explanations and examples.
Meanings of the Verb stellen with Different Prefixes
As you already know, German verbs are often combined with prefixes (Präfix). Each combination produces a new meaning, and understanding the meaning and usage is a challenge for German learners. This is a series of articles on how to distinguish the meanings of verbs with the same root but different prefixes. In this article, the meanings of the verb stellen combined with prefixes (Präfix) are explained.
Let's get started!
The verb stellen has the basic meaning of to put/place.
Example: - Ich stelle mein Bier auf den Tisch.- (I put my beer on the table)
- Er hat 3 Fragen nacheinander gestellt. - (He asked/posed 3 questions one after another)
Below are the meanings of the prefix verbs (Präfix) + stellen
|
Prefix (Präfix) + stellen |
Meaning |
Example |
|
an- stellen |
to switch on (a switch), to hire, to employ |
Die Sprachschule stellt Lehrer an. (The language school is hiring teachers) Sie stellt die Kaffeemaschine an. (She switches on the coffee machine) |
|
be- stellen |
to order (goods) |
Ich habe das Essen für 12 Uhr bestellt. (I ordered the food for 12 noon) |
|
er- stellen |
to draw up, to create, to make |
Mein Anwalt hat den Vertrag schon erstellt. (My lawyer has already drafted the contract) |
|
ab- stellen |
to park (a car), to turn off, to put down |
Wo hast du dein Auto abgestellt? (Where did you park your car?) Der Gärtner stellte den Eimer ab und sammelte die Blätter auf. (The gardener put down the bucket and picked up the leaves) |
|
dar- stellen |
to depict, to represent |
Verschiedene Grafiken können die gleichen Daten darstellen. (Different graphs can illustrate the same data) |
|
aus- stellen |
to issue, to draw up, to exhibit, to display |
In der Galerie stellt sie das Bild aus. (She exhibits the painting in the gallery) |
|
bereit- stellen |
to provide, to supply, to make available |
Informationen über deinen Aufenthalt werden heute Nachmittag bereitgestellt. (Information about your stay will be provided this afternoon) |
|
vor- stellen sich vor- stellen |
to introduce to imagine, to picture |
Darf ich Ihnen Herrn A vorstellen? (May I introduce Mr. A to you?) Stellen Sie sich meine Überraschung vor! (Imagine my surprise!) |
|
um- stellen |
to move around, to rearrange to change, to switch to surround, to encircle |
Ich musste die Möbel umstellen. (I had to rearrange the furniture in the house) Ich stelle meine Heizung zu Hause von Gas auf Elektro um. (I am switching my heating at home from gas to electric) Kommen Sie mit erhobenen Händen raus. Wir haben die Bank umgestellt! (Come out with your hands up. We have surrounded the bank!) |
|
her- stellen |
to produce, to manufacture to establish (contact) |
Diese Fabrik stellt Autoteile her. (This factory manufactures car parts) Sie versucht, Kontakt zu ihrem Freund herzustellen. (She tries to get in touch with her friend) |
|
auf- stellen |
to put up, to arrange, to set up (similar to abstellen) to build, to erect |
Wo sollen wir die Stühle für die Veranstaltung aufstellen? (Where should we set up the chairs for the event?) Kannst du mir helfen, den Pool im Garten aufzustellen? (Can you help me put up the pool in the garden?) |
|
fest- stellen |
to find out, to notice, to determine |
Der Arzt hat bei seinem Patienten eine Infektion festgestellt. (The doctor diagnosed an infection in his patient) |
|
nach- stellen |
to reenact, to recreate to adjust, to readjust (more precisely, to perfect) |
Am Montagabend sperrte die Polizei die Straße, um einen Unfall nachzustellen. (On Monday evening the police closed off the street to reenact an accident) In regelmäßigen Abständen muss die Uhr nachgestellt werden. (The clock must be adjusted at regular intervals) |
|
ver- stellen |
to block, to obstruct |
Jemand hat meine Einfahrt mit einem Lieferwagen verstellt. (Someone has blocked my driveway with a van) |
