It’s what you pull up to a table, sit on during class, or trip over in the dark. In German, it’s der Stuhl. This is your German Word of the Day—common, concrete, and absolutely essential in everyday life.
The noun Stuhl means chair in German, and it’s one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns. Whether it’s a dining chair, office chair, or classroom seat, you’ll need this word to talk about where to sit (or not sit).
It’s a masculine noun, so we say der Stuhl (still second-guessing noun gender? Our video lesson helps you learn them faster and more naturally).
Pronunciation
Stuhl is pronounced [shtoohl]
- Rhymes with “cool”
- One clear syllable
- Stress on the whole word: Stuhl
Example sentences
- Der Stuhl ist unbequem.
The chair is uncomfortable. - Kannst du mir bitte einen Stuhl holen?
Can you please get me a chair? - An jedem Schreibtisch steht ein Stuhl.
There’s a chair at every desk.
Nuance and usage tips
🪑 Types of chairs:
- Holzstuhl – wooden chair
- Drehstuhl – swivel chair (for offices)
- Lehnstuhl – armchair (especially with backrest)
- Klappstuhl – folding chair
- Rollstuhl – wheelchair
- Hochstuhl – high chair (for babies)
💼 Other uses:
- Stuhlkreis – circle of chairs (common in schools or therapy)
- Chefsessel – “boss chair” (executive office chair)
- elektrischer Stuhl – electric chair (used only in historical/criminal contexts)
🚽 Important note:
Stuhl can also mean stool in a medical or biological context (as in bowel movement). So yes—sometimes Stuhl means the chair in German… and sometimes it's very much not.
How does this word come up in real conversations?
- "Hier ist noch ein freier Stuhl."
There’s still a free chair here. - "Ich brauch einen anderen Stuhl – der wackelt."
I need a different chair—this one’s wobbly. - "Der Arzt hat eine Stuhlprobe verlangt."
The doctor requested a stool sample. (😬)
Sample Dialogue (Beginner Level)
Lina: Wo soll ich sitzen?
Tom: Da drüben ist noch ein Stuhl.
Lina: Perfekt, danke!
Tom: Aber pass auf – der kippelt ein bisschen.
Translation:
Lina: Where should I sit?
Tom: There’s a chair over there.
Lina: Perfect, thanks!
Tom: But be careful—it’s a bit wobbly.
Grammatical case examples
Nominative:
Der Stuhl steht in der Ecke.
The chair is in the corner.
Accusative:
Ich nehme den Stuhl neben dir.
I’ll take the chair next to you.
Dative:
Er sitzt auf dem Stuhl.
He’s sitting on the chair.
Genitive:
Die Beine des Stuhls sind locker.
The legs of the chair are loose.
Word variations and language tidbits
- Stuhlbein – chair leg
- Stuhlkissen – seat cushion
- Stuhllehne – backrest
- Stuhlreihe – row of chairs
- Stuhltanz – musical chairs (literally “chair dance”)
- Stuhlgang – bowel movement (medical)
🪑 Fun fact: In many German kindergartens and classrooms, kids regularly gather in a Stuhlkreis—a “circle of chairs”—for songs, sharing, or discussions. It’s a classic part of group learning in German culture.
📘 Duden entry: https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Stuhl
🎥 Want a front-row seat to learning German right? Our free video course teaches the top 1000 nouns—with grammar tips, examples, and context that keeps you steady in any conversation.
Ready for more German Words of the Day?
Do you know what Stunde means? You might spend one sitting on a Stuhl.
And what about Sturm? Don’t leave your Stuhl outside during one!