Whether you’re talking about someone’s place in a company, their stance in a debate, or even where something is physically located, “position” is one of those essential words that shows up across topics and levels. That’s why today’s German Word of the Day is die Position—a core term every learner should master early. It’s one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German, and knowing how to use Position in German will unlock a surprising range of sentences.
The word Position is feminine—die Position—and while it looks just like the English word, it can be used in a few more nuanced ways. (Still wrestling with gender in German? Our video lesson explains der, die, das quickly and clearly—even if grammar isn’t your thing.)
Pronunciation tip: it’s said almost exactly like in English, but with that clear German “ts” sound: po-zi-TSYON.
In German, die Position can refer to:
a physical location (die geografische Position),
a job title or role (eine Position im Unternehmen),
or an opinion or stance (eine politische Position).
So it covers “place,” “rank,” and “opinion” all at once. That makes it one of those Swiss army knife nouns that’ll help you sound fluent fast.
It doesn’t have one exact opposite, but related terms that contrast with it include:
die Bewegung (movement)
die Orientierungslosigkeit (lack of direction)
or die Unklarheit (vagueness)
You’ll also encounter Position in compound words like:
Führungsposition (leadership role)
Startposition (starting point)
Verhandlungsposition (bargaining position)
It’s frequently used in both formal and casual settings. In business meetings, debates, sports commentary, and even yoga classes, you’re bound to hear it.
Beginner Dialogue
Lena: Welche Position hast du in der Firma?
Tom: Ich bin Teamleiter im Marketing.
Translation
Lena: What’s your position in the company?
Tom: I’m a team lead in marketing.
Example Sentences
Er hat seine Position in der Diskussion klar gemacht.
He made his position in the discussion clear.Die Position des Autos auf dem Parkplatz war falsch.
The car’s position in the parking lot was incorrect.Sie hat eine hohe Position im Unternehmen erreicht.
She achieved a high position in the company.
Duden entry:
https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Position
Still curious? Take a look at:
Presse – the word that powers public opinion.
Professor – for prestige, titles, and the academic elite.
Viel Erfolg beim Deutschlernen – and keep building your vocabulary one powerful word at a time, starting with Position in German.