das  Stoßen

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃtoːsən/

🎯 What exactly is 'das Stoßen'?

Das Stoßen is the noun form (nominalization) of the verb stoßen. It describes the act of pushing, bumping, hitting, or joining itself.

It can have several meanings depending on the context:

• Physical Contact: The process of bumping into someone or something, pushing, or colliding. (e.g., the clinking of glasses - das Anstoßen, pushing a door - das Stoßen einer Tür)
• Sports: A discipline, especially in athletics (shot put - das Kugelstoßen).
• Encountering/Joining: The act of joining a group or accidentally encountering something. (e.g., encountering resistance - das Stoßen auf Widerstand, joining the group - das Stoßen zur Gruppe)
• Technology/Craft: The joining of parts or processing through impacts.

🚨 Important: Das Stoßen as a noun is always neuter (das) and refers to the process. The result of a push or bump is often der Stoß (masculine).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Das Stoßen

Das Stoßen is a nominalized infinitive and therefore always neuter (das). It is usually only used in the singular as it describes a process or concept.

⚠️ A plural ('die Stoßen') is grammatically possible but very rare and usually conceivable only in specific technical contexts or to describe repeated, distinct pushing actions.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Das Stoßen der Kugel erfordert viel Kraft.
   (The pushing of the shot put requires a lot of strength.)
2. Beim Anstoßen zerbrach ein Glas; das laute Stoßen erschreckte die Gäste.
   (A glass broke during the toast; the loud clinking/bumping startled the guests.)
3. Das unerwartete Stoßen auf alte Freunde war eine schöne Überraschung.
   (The unexpected encountering of old friends was a nice surprise.)
4. Das präzise Stoßen der Fugen ist wichtig für die Stabilität.
   (The precise joining/abutting of the joints is important for stability.)

🚀 When to use 'das Stoßen'?

Das Stoßen is used to emphasize the process or action of pushing/bumping, often in a more formal or technical context.

• Sports Reporting: "Das Kugelstoßen beginnt um 15 Uhr." ("The shot put begins at 3 PM.") Here, 'das Stoßen' is part of the name of the discipline.
• Technical Descriptions: "Das Stoßen der Kolben erzeugt den Antrieb." ("The thrusting/pushing of the pistons generates the drive.") Focus is on the mechanical process.
• Describing Events: "Das ständige Stoßen gegen den Tisch nervte ihn." ("The constant bumping against the table annoyed him.") Emphasis on the repeated action.
• Abstract Contexts: "Das Stoßen auf Schwierigkeiten gehört zum Lernprozess." ("Encountering difficulties is part of the learning process.")

Differentiation:

• Der Stoß: Usually refers to the result, the single impulse, or a short, sharp movement (e.g., "Er gab ihm einen Stoß." - "He gave him a push.").
• stoßen (verb): Describes the action directly (e.g., "Er stößt die Tür auf." - "He pushes the door open.").

🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Stoßen'

For the article (das):

Think of 'das' as the article for actions turned into nouns (gerund-like). Like 'das Laufen' (the running) or 'das Schwimmen' (the swimming). Das Stoßen is the act of pushing/bumping, and actions or processes often take 'das'.

For the meaning (act of pushing/bumping):

Imagine someone shouting "STOP!" right before a big push or bump – the 'Sto' in Stoßen sounds a bit like 'stop'. You stop, then comes the push – 'das Stoßen'.

🤝 Similar but Different: Synonyms & Antonyms

Risk of Confusion: Be careful not to mix up das Stoßen (the process/act) with der Stoß (the event/result).

😂 A Little Push for a Laugh

Warum nehmen Skelette nicht am Kugelstoßen teil?

Sie haben nicht den nötigen Mumm (und keine Muskeln)! 😉

--- Translation ---

Why don't skeletons participate in the shot put?

They don't have the guts (or the muscles)! 😉
(Note: "Mumm haben" means "to have guts/courage" in German.)

✍️ Poetry of Impact

Ein Ruck, ein Schub, ein leises Krachen,
manchmal muss man's einfach machen.
Ob Kugel, Tür, ob Glas zum Klang,
das Stoßen hat oft seinen Drang.
Mal sanft, mal fest, mit Kraft und Schwung,
hält uns der Impuls stets jung.

--- Translation ---

A jolt, a push, a soft crack sound,
Sometimes you just have to, all around.
Whether shot put, door, or glass to chime,
The push/bump often has its time.
Sometimes gentle, firm, with force and swing,
The impulse keeps us young, the energy it brings.

❓ A Puzzling Push

Ich bin ein Tun, kein fester Stand,
mal mit der Faust, mal mit der Hand.
Beim Sport brauchst du mich für den Wurf,
manchmal geschieht's auch im Entwurf.
Stets sächlich, wenn man's Tun benennt,
wie heißt die Aktion, die jeder kennt?

Lösung: Das Stoßen

--- Translation ---

I am an action, not a solid place,
Sometimes with the fist, sometimes hand's grace.
In sports, you need me for the throw,
Sometimes it happens in a draft's flow.
Always neuter, when the action's named,
What is this process, widely famed?

Answer: Das Stoßen (The pushing/bumping/hitting)

ℹ️ Good to Know: More about 'das Stoßen'

Word Formation:

Das Stoßen is a classic example of nominalization (Substantivierung) of a verb in German. The infinitive of the verb (stoßen) is taken, capitalized, and used with the neuter article 'das'. This is commonly done to name actions or processes as concepts.

Common Phrases (using the verb 'stoßen'):

• Auf Widerstand stoßen: To meet with resistance.
• Zu jemandem stoßen: To join someone / a group.
• Ins gleiche Horn stoßen: To express the same opinion / be on the same page (literally: to blow into the same horn).
• An seine Grenzen stoßen: To reach one's limits.

Although these phrases use the verb stoßen, understanding das Stoßen as the concept of the action helps in grasping their meaning.