The German word for place or position is die Stelle.
It’s a highly flexible word: Stelle in German can mean a specific spot, a point in time or text, or even a job position. It shows up everywhere from GPS directions to job boards to novels.

It’s one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German (download the full illustrated PDF for free) and one of those essential words with multiple meanings depending on the context.

Gender and Pronunciation

It’s a feminine noun: die Stelle.
Want to stop guessing genders? This video lesson shows you simple strategies for learning them efficiently.

Pronunciation:
Stelle is pronounced [SHTEL-uh]

• “SHTEL” rhymes with “bell”

• “uh” as in “sofa”
  Two syllables: SHTEL-uh

Example sentences

Ich habe eine neue Stelle gefunden.

I found a new job.

An dieser Stelle musst du rechts abbiegen.

At this spot, you need to turn right.

Das ist die beste Stelle im ganzen Buch.

That’s the best part in the whole book.

Nuance and usage tips

📍 Stelle means location or spot, like a specific place on your body, on a road, or in a document:

• wunde Stelle = sore spot

• dunkle Stelle = dark patch

• an erster Stelle = in first place / most important

💼 It also commonly refers to job positions:

• Arbeitsstelle = workplace

• Stellenanzeige = job ad

• freie Stelle = job opening

• Teilzeitstelle = part-time position

📖 In books or speeches, it can refer to a point in text or time:

• an dieser Stelle im Text = at this point in the text

How does this word come up in real conversations?

"Ich hab die Stelle gewechselt – jetzt arbeite ich in Berlin."

I changed jobs—now I work in Berlin.

"Das ist genau die Stelle, die ich meinte!"

That’s exactly the part I meant!

"Kannst du mir die Stelle nochmal zeigen?"

Can you show me that spot again?

Sample Dialogue (Beginner Level)

Timo: Und – wie läuft’s im neuen Job?
Mira: Super! Die Stelle passt perfekt zu mir.
Timo: Was machst du genau?
Mira: Ich bin jetzt Projektassistentin – viel zu tun, aber spannend.

Translation:
Timo: So—how’s the new job?
Mira: Great! The position suits me perfectly.
Timo: What exactly do you do?
Mira: I’m a project assistant now—lots to do, but exciting.

Grammatical case examples

Nominative:
Die Stelle war schnell besetzt.

The position was filled quickly.

Accusative:
Ich habe die Stelle angenommen.

I accepted the position.

Dative:
An der Stelle war früher ein Café.

There used to be a café at that spot.

Genitive:
Die Anforderungen der Stelle sind klar formuliert.

The requirements of the position are clearly stated.

Other ways to say place or position in German

While Stelle is the most flexible word for place or position in German, other nouns may be more precise in certain contexts:

• Platz – general space or seat (e.g. Sitzplatz, Spielplatz)

• Ort – geographic location, town (e.g. Wohnort, Tatort)

• Position – used in business, sports, or physical placement

• Abschnitt / Teil – for parts of a text

Still, Stelle is the most versatile for spots, jobs, and pinpointed moments.

Word variations and tidbits

Stelle appears in many compound words:

• Stellenangebot – job offer

• Stellenbeschreibung – job description

• Stellenwechsel – job change

• Stellenausschreibung – job posting

• Stellenwert – value, importance (“to hold an important position”)

• Einsatzstelle – deployment site (e.g., for volunteers or soldiers)

🧠 Fun fact: German uses Stelle in many figurative expressions too—an erster Stelle stehen means “to come first” (in terms of importance), and jemanden auf die Stelle setzen means “to replace someone instantly.”

📘 Duden entry for Stelle
🎥 Want to get to the right place with your German? Our free video course teaches the top 1000 German nouns—with examples, usage tips, and a printable PDF to keep you learning in the right direction.

Ready for more German Words of the Day?
Do you know what Stern means? Sometimes, it marks just the Stelle you’re looking for.
And what about Stein? Even the smallest one can trip you at the wrong Stelle.