die  Stellung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃtɛlʊŋ/

🧐 What does "die Stellung" mean?

The word die Stellung is a feminine noun with several meanings:

• Professional Position: A job, post, or rank within an organization. Example: Sie hat eine leitende Stellung im Unternehmen. (She has a leading position in the company.)
• Posture/Stance: The way someone stands or sits; a specific pose. Example: Nehmen Sie eine bequeme Stellung ein. (Assume a comfortable position/posture.)
• Opinion or Standpoint: A view or attitude towards a specific topic, often in the expression "Stellung nehmen" (to take a stand, to comment). Example: Der Politiker wurde gebeten, zur aktuellen Krise Stellung zu nehmen. (The politician was asked to comment on the current crisis.)
• Position or Location: A specific place or location, often in a military or strategic context. Example: Die Soldaten bezogen Stellung auf dem Hügel. (The soldiers took up position on the hill.)
• Arrangement or Configuration: The way something is arranged or set (e.g., for devices). Example: Überprüfen Sie die Stellung des Schalters. (Check the position of the switch.)
• (Rare) Sexual Position: A specific body posture during sexual intercourse.

🚨 Attention: The meaning usually becomes clear from the context.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📐 Grammar of "die Stellung" in Detail

Die Stellung is a feminine noun. Like most feminine nouns ending in -ung, it is always feminine.

📝 Example Sentences for Grammar

1. Nominative: Die Stellung des Unternehmens am Markt ist stark. (The company's position in the market is strong.)
2. Genitive: Trotz der Unsicherheit der Stellung blieb er optimistisch. (Despite the uncertainty of the position, he remained optimistic.)
3. Dativ: Mit dieser neuen Stellung ist viel Verantwortung verbunden. (A lot of responsibility comes with this new position.)
4. Accusative: Er hat die Stellung als Abteilungsleiter angenommen. (He accepted the position as department head.)
5. Plural: Die Soldaten nahmen ihre Stellungen ein. (The soldiers took their positions.)
6. Plural (with "Stellung nehmen"): Wir erwarten klare Stellungen von allen Parteien. (We expect clear statements/positions from all parties.)

💡 How to use "die Stellung"?

The usage of "die Stellung" depends heavily on the context:

• In a professional context: Used when talking about jobs, career levels, or hierarchies. Synonyms here are often: Position, Posten, Amt.
• Regarding the body: Describes body postures, often in sports, yoga, or medical examinations. Synonyms: Haltung, Pose.
• For opinions: Very common in the fixed phrase "Stellung nehmen zu etwas (Dativ)", which means to state one's opinion or present a viewpoint.
• Military/Strategic: Refers to a location from which actions are carried out or something is defended. Synonyms: Position, Standort, Lage.
• Technical: Refers to the setting or alignment of parts or devices. Synonym: Einstellung, Position.

Compared to "Position", "Stellung" can sometimes sound a bit more formal or specific, especially in professional and military contexts. "Haltung" primarily refers to posture or an inner attitude, while "Stellung nehmen" specifically means expressing an opinion.

🧠 Memory Aids for "die Stellung"

Article Mnemonic: Feminine nouns often end in -ung (like Rettung - rescue, Meinung - opinion, Heizung - heating). Remember: the endung makes the Stellung feminine -> die Stellung. Think of a female employee in a high Stellung (position).

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you *stellen* (place/put) yourself in a certain spot (position, military Stellung), assume a certain posture (Körperstellung), apply for a job (berufliche Stellung), or *stellen* (present) your opinion (Stellung nehmen). The verb "stellen" connects the meanings.

↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words (Potential Confusion!):

• die Einstellung: Can also mean employment/hiring, but also attitude/mindset or a technical adjustment/setting.
• der Stand: Refers more to a state, level, status, or social class.
• die Lage: Often synonymous with position/location, but also means situation/condition.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: "Sind Sie mit Ihrer Stellung zufrieden?"
Antwortet der Mitarbeiter: "Naja, meistens sitze ich..."

Translation:
The boss asks the new employee: "Are you satisfied with your Stellung (position/posture)?"
The employee replies: "Well, mostly I sit..." (playing on the double meaning of position/job vs. physical posture)

✍️ Poem about Stellung

Die Stellung, fest im Leben steh'n,
als Job, wo wir zur Arbeit geh'n.
Die Stellung auch, wie man sich hält,
aufrecht und stark in dieser Welt.
Die Stellung nehmen, klar und laut,
auf die Meinung fest vertraut.
Am rechten Ort zur rechten Zeit,
die Stellung halten – kampfbereit.

Translation:
The position, standing firm in life,
As a job, where we go to work.
The posture too, how one holds oneself,
Upright and strong in this world.
To take a stand, clear and loud,
Firmly trusting in one's opinion.
In the right place at the right time,
Holding the position – ready to fight.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich kann ein Job sein, hoch im Amt,
oder wie dein Körper ist gespannt.
Man nimmt mich ein, sagt seine Sicht,
Soldaten halten mich bei Pflicht.

Was bin ich? Antwort: die Stellung

Translation:
I can be a job, high in office,
Or how your body is held tensed.
One takes me, states their view,
Soldiers hold me when on duty.

What am I?
Answer: die Stellung (position/stance/opinion/post)

✨ More Information

Word Composition:

The word "Stellung" is derived from the verb "stellen" (to place, put, set) with the suffix "-ung". This suffix is commonly used to form nouns from verbs, often describing the process or result of the action (e.g., warnen -> Warnung (warning), meinen -> Meinung (opinion)).

Interesting Phrases:

• Stellung beziehen: Similar to "Stellung nehmen", often used in a military or strategic sense (to take up position).
• Eine feste Stellung haben: To hold a secure position (professionally or socially).
• In Stellung bringen: To bring something (e.g., a weapon, a piece in a game) into the correct position.