der  Stopp

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ʃtɔp/

🛑 What exactly is *der Stopp*?

The German word der Stopp has one clear main meaning:

• The halt, the interruption: It signifies the ending of a movement, an action, or a process. It can refer to vehicles, machines, but also more abstract things like negotiations.
• As an interjection: The word "Stopp!" is also used as an exclamation to demand someone or something to halt. In this case, it's often capitalized, even when not at the beginning of a sentence.

It's a loanword from English ("stop") but is firmly established in German. ⚠️ Attention: Although it also serves as an interjection, the noun is masculine: der Stopp.

🔍 Grammar Check: Declining *der Stopp*

The noun "Stopp" is masculine. Here are the declension tables:

The plural "die Stopps" is used less frequently but is correct (e.g., for multiple planned stops or interruptions).

Example Sentences

1. Der abrupte Stopp des Zuges überraschte die Fahrgäste.
   (The abrupt stop of the train surprised the passengers.)
2. Legen wir einen kurzen Stopp ein, bevor wir weiterfahren.
   (Let's make a short stop before we continue driving.)
3. "Stopp!", rief der Polizist.
   ("Stop!", shouted the police officer.)
4. Die Verhandlungen kamen zu einem unerwarteten Stopp.
   (The negotiations came to an unexpected stop.)
5. Wir planen mehrere Stopps entlang der Route. (Plural)
   (We are planning several stops along the route.)

🚦 When to use *'Stopp'*? Context & Nuances

Der Stopp is used in various contexts:

• Traffic: Very common in road traffic (Stoppschild - stop sign, an der Ampel stoppen - to stop at the traffic light, Notstopp - emergency stop).
• Technology & Machinery: Halting devices or production processes (Maschinenstopp - machine stop, Produktionsstopp - production stop).
• Sports: Short interruptions or halts (Boxenstopp - pit stop in Formula 1).
• Everyday Language: Generally for any kind of interruption or cessation (ein Stopp der Diskussion - a stop to the discussion, dem Lärm Einhalt gebieten - to put a stop to the noise - here, "Halt" or "Einhalt" are often preferred).
• As an exclamation: Direct and unambiguous to immediately halt an action ("Stopp! Nicht weitergehen!" - "Stop! Don't go any further!").

Compared to "Halt" or "Anhalten", "Stopp" often sounds more direct, sometimes more abrupt or urgent, especially as an exclamation. "Der Halt" can also refer to a place (Bushaltestelle - bus stop), whereas "der Stopp" primarily means the event of stopping.

🧠 Mnemonics for *'der Stopp'*

• Article Mnemonic: Think of a sturdy police officer (often male - 'der') yelling "Stopp!". The 'st' and the male image might help remember 'der'. Or think: Der Stopper (the stopper) stoppt (stops).

• Meaning Mnemonic: The word sounds almost exactly like the English "stop". If you know the English word, you know the German meaning: to halt, to cease. Imagine a big, red Stoppschild (stop sign) – the signal is universal.

↔️ Same & Opposite: Synonyms & Antonyms for *'der Stopp'*

Similar Words:

• Stoppen (verb): To stop (the action).
• Stoppelig: Stubby (refers to short, stiff hair like beard stubble) - completely unrelated to halting! 🧔
• Die Strophe: A verse in a poem or song - sounds vaguely similar, totally different meaning. 🎵

😂 A little Joke about Stopping

Warum hat der Mathematiker an der roten Ampel angehalten?

Er wollte einen definierten Stopp einlegen!

Translation: Why did the mathematician stop at the red light? He wanted to make a defined stop! (A little pun, as 'defined' sounds similar to mathematical definitions).

📜 A Rhyme for *'Stopp'*

Rot leuchtet hell das Signal,
Ein jeder weiß es, überall.
Bewegung endet, schnell und knapp,
Man macht jetzt einen Stopp. Kein Weiterfahren, keine Eil',
Für einen kurzen Augenweil'.
Ob Auto, Zug, ob Mensch im Trott,
Gehorcht dem lauten Ruf: "Stopp!"

Translation:
Red brightly shines the signal,
Everyone knows it, overall.
Movement ends, quick and short,
One makes now a stop.
No driving on, no hurry's wile,
For a short moment's while.
Whether car, train, or person's trot,
Obeys the loud call: "Stop!"

❓ Riddle Time: What am I?

Ich habe keinen Mund, doch kann laut rufen.
Ich bringe Autos und Züge zum Schnaufen.
Manchmal bin ich geplant, manchmal abrupt.
Man nennt mich 'der ...' - was hab ich gesagt?

Translation:
I have no mouth, yet can call out loud.
I make cars and trains huff and puff (pant).
Sometimes I am planned, sometimes abrupt.
They call me 'der ...' - what did I say/what am I called?

Solution: der Stopp

💡 Interesting Facts about *'Stopp'*

• Origin: The word was borrowed from English ("stop") in the 19th century, initially in seafaring and railway contexts. (Die Herkunft: Das Wort wurde im 19. Jahrhundert aus dem Englischen ("stop") entlehnt, zunächst in der Seefahrt und im Eisenbahnwesen.)
• Compound Words: "Stopp" is part of many compound words, e.g.:
  • Stoppschild (stop sign)
  • Stoppuhr (stopwatch)
  • Boxenstopp (pit stop)
  • Atemstopp (apnea, cessation of breathing)
  • Notstopp (emergency stop)
  • Zwischenstopp (stopover, layover)
• Internationality: The word "Stopp" or "Stop" is understood as a signal to halt in many languages, often seen on traffic signs. (Internationalität: Das Wort "Stopp" bzw. "Stop" ist in vielen Sprachen als Signal zum Anhalten verständlich, oft auf Verkehrsschildern.)