die  Staffel

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃtafəl/

📚 What does 'die Staffel' mean?

The word die Staffel (feminine) has several meanings, often related to some kind of division, group, or level:

• 🏃‍♀️ Sports: A group of athletes who cover a part of a distance one after another (e.g., in a Staffellauf - relay race). The competition itself can also be called die Staffel.
• 📺 Media (TV/Literature): A series of episodes of a television show that belong together and are often broadcast within a specific period (equivalent to the English season).
• ✈️ Military/Aviation: A military unit, especially in the air force (often corresponds to a squadron). Also a specific formation (echelon).
• 💰 Economy: A level in a price or tariff structure (e.g., volume discounts). This is referred to as Preisstaffeln (price scales) or Tarifstaffeln (tariff scales).
• 🪜 General (less common): A group, a department, or a level in a hierarchy.

🚨 Important: The article is always die, regardless of the meaning.

📐 Grammar of 'die Staffel' in Detail

Die Staffel is a feminine noun. Here is its declension:

Example Sentences

1. Sport: Die deutsche Staffel hat Gold gewonnen. (The German relay team won gold.)
2. Media: Ich freue mich schon auf die nächste Staffel meiner Lieblingsserie. (I'm already looking forward to the next season of my favorite series.)
3. Military: Die Staffel flog in Formation. (The squadron flew in formation.)
4. Economy: Bei Abnahme von 100 Stück gilt die günstigere Staffel. (If you purchase 100 units, the cheaper price tier applies.)

🗣️ How to use 'die Staffel'?

The usage of die Staffel heavily depends on the context:

• In sports, you talk about a Schwimmstaffel (swimming relay), Laufstaffel (running relay), or Biathlonstaffel (biathlon relay). The focus is on the team or the race.
• For TV series, Staffel is the standard word for a block of episodes. You say "die erste Staffel" (the first season), "die letzte Staffel" (the last season). There's little risk of confusion with Saison (which means season in the sense of time of year or playing season in theater/sports) in the context of TV series.
• In the military context, Staffel is specific to certain units (often air forces) or formations.
• In business/economy, Staffel refers to tiered prices or tariffs (Preisstaffelung - price scaling). The more you buy, the lower the price per unit often is in the next Staffel (tier).

The word carries a clear connotation of sequence, division, or grouping, which is reflected in all its meanings.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Remembering the article 'die'

Imagine: She (die is feminine!) is watching the exciting TV Staffel, she passes the baton in the relay Staffel, she leads the air force Staffel. Always feminine energy, so it's die Staffel!

Remembering the meanings

Think of 'staff' or 'steps': A Staffel involves a 'staff' (baton in a relay) or 'steps' (like steps in a series, steps in rank, steps in pricing). The TV staff works on the new Staffel (season). The air force staff forms a Staffel (squadron). The sales staff explains the price Staffel (tier). It's all about groups or stages!

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but different words

• die Staffelei: An easel for painting. Sounds similar, but different meaning.
• der Stapel: A stack or pile (e.g., of books). Different gender and meaning.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum schauen Skelette keine Grusel-Staffeln?

Weil sie keinen Magen dafür haben! 😉

Translation: Why don't skeletons watch horror seasons/series? Because they don't have the stomach for it!

📜 Poem about 'Staffel'

Die Läufer flitzen, Stab in Hand,
die erste Staffel durch das Land.
Im Fernsehen läuft, ganz ohne Hast,
die nächste Staffel, welch ein Gast.
Am Himmel zieht, in Reih und Glied,
eine Staffel, die man fliegen sieht.
Der Preis fällt tief, wenn man viel nimmt,
die letzte Staffel ist bestimmt.

Translation:
The runners dash, baton in hand,
the first relay (Staffel) across the land.
On TV runs, without any haste,
the next season (Staffel), what a guest.
In the sky moves, in rank and file,
a squadron (Staffel) that one sees fly.
The price drops low, if one takes much,
the final tier (Staffel) is set as such.

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich bin Teil eines Rennens, doch kein Einzelläufer.
Ich gliedere Serien, Folge für Folge, läufer.
Ich fliege am Himmel oder ordne den Preis.
Mit 'die' steh ich vorne, wie lautet mein Kreis?

Lösung: die Staffel

Translation:
I'm part of a race, but not a solo runner.
I structure series, episode by episode, smoother.
I fly in the sky or arrange the price.
With 'die' I stand first, what's my concise device?

Solution: die Staffel

🧐 More Interesting Facts

Word Origin (Etymology):

The word Staffel comes from the Middle High German word staffel, meaning „step“, „rung“, or „frame“. It is related to the word Stufe (step, level). This original meaning of „step“ or „section“ still shines through in all current uses:

• The steps/sections of a race.
• The steps/sections of a series.
• The steps/ranks of a military unit.
• The steps of a price scale.