It's the stairs you climb, the levels you pass, and the settings you adjust. In German, it’s die Stufe.
This is your German Word of the Day—gradual, structured, and essential whether you're going up a staircase or through life’s phases.

The noun Stufe means step, level, or stage, and it’s one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German (free illustrated PDF included!). You’ll encounter it when changing the heat on a stove, talking about school grades, or describing someone's progress.

Gender and Pronunciation

It’s a feminine noun: die Stufe.
Need help remembering gender? Our video lesson shows you how to spot patterns fast.

Pronunciation:
Stufe is pronounced [SHTOO-fuh]

• "SHTOO" like in “stool”
• “fuh” rhymes with “duh”
  Two syllables: SHTOO-fuh

Example sentences

Die nächste Stufe ist schwieriger.

The next level is more difficult.

Ich bin auf der letzten Stufe gestolpert.

I tripped on the last step.

Wir haben die höchste Stufe erreicht.

We've reached the highest stage.

Nuance and usage tips

🪜 Physical stairs or steps

• eine Stufe hinaufsteigen – to step up
• eine Stufe überspringen – to skip a step
• eine lockere Stufe – a loose stair

📚 In education or development

• die zwölfte Stufe – the 12th grade (in school)
• eine neue Stufe der Entwicklung – a new stage of development

🔥 Settings and controls

• Stufe drei einstellen – set to level three
• auf höchster Stufe kochen – cook on the highest setting

🎭 In abstract or metaphorical uses

• eine höhere Stufe erreichen – reach a higher level
• eine Stufe des Bewusstseins – a stage of awareness

How does this word come up in real conversations?

"Welche Stufe soll ich beim Backofen nehmen?"

What setting should I use on the oven?

"Sie ist schon in der letzten Stufe vor dem Abitur."

She’s already in the last year before graduation.

"Pass auf, da fehlt eine Stufe!"

Watch out, there's a step missing!

Sample Dialogue (Beginner Level)

Anna: Warum dauert das Wasser so lange zum Kochen?
Luca: Auf welcher Stufe hast du den Herd?
Anna: Auf zwei. Soll ich höher stellen?
Luca: Ja, mach lieber Stufe fünf. Dann geht’s schneller.

Translation:
Anna: Why is the water taking so long to boil?
Luca: What setting is the stove on?
Anna: On two. Should I turn it up?
Luca: Yes, better use level five. It’ll be quicker.

Grammatical case examples

Nominative:
Die Stufe ist kaputt.

The step is broken.

Accusative:
Ich sehe die Stufe nicht.

I don’t see the step.

Dative:
Er sitzt auf der Stufe.

He’s sitting on the step.

Genitive:
Die Farbe der Stufe ist abgeblättert.

The paint on the step is peeling.

Word variations and language tidbits

• Stufenplan – phased plan
• Stufenmodell – tiered model
• Laufstufe – tread (of a staircase)
• Schaltstufe – gear level or electrical setting
• Karrierestufe – career level

🧠 Fun fact: In German schools, Stufe refers to grade levels, especially from around year 10 and up. If someone says they're “in der elften Stufe,” they mean they’re in 11th grade!

📘 Duden entry for Stufe
🎥 Want to climb the ladder of German fluency? Our free video course teaches you the top 1000 nouns—step by step, level by level.

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