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2 replies
To ask question with "stellen"
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"stellen" by itself does not mean “to ask.” However, it appears in a very common expression used for asking questions:
"eine Frage stellen" = to ask a question
So while "stellen" literally means “to place” or “to put,” when combined as "eine Frage stellen“, it becomes the idiomatic way of saying “to ask a question.”
For comparison:
- "fragen" = to ask (someone something)
- → e.g. Ich frage ihn. = I ask him.
- "eine Frage stellen" = to ask a question
- → e.g. Ich möchte eine Frage stellen. = I’d like to ask a question.
Summary:
- 🔹 "fragen" is the direct verb for “to ask.”
- 🔹 "stellen" is used in expressions like "eine Frage stellen", but doesn't mean ask on its own.
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"Stellen" is a very common verb in German. Its core meaning is “to place” or “to put (upright)”, but it appears in many different contexts with a range of meanings, both literal and idiomatic.
🔹 Core Meaning: “to place” / “to put upright”
Used when placing something in a standing/upright position (as opposed to legen, which is for laying something down).
Examples:
- Ich stelle die Tasse auf den Tisch. (I put the cup on the table.)
- Stell das Fahrrad in die Garage. (Put the bike in the garage.)
🔹 Reflexive: sich stellen
Can mean “to position oneself”, or “to face something”, depending on context.
Examples:
- Er stellte sich vor das Publikum. (He stood in front of the audience.)
- Er stellt sich seinen Ängsten. (He is facing his fears.)
🔹 Idiomatic Phrases and Expressions
- eine Frage stellen – to ask a question
- (Wir möchten Ihnen eine Frage stellen.)
- sich zur Verfügung stellen – to make oneself available
- (Ich stelle mich gerne zur Verfügung.)
- jemanden vor eine Wahl stellen – to confront someone with a choice
- (Man stellte ihn vor eine schwere Wahl.)
- Ansprüche stellen (an) – to make demands (on)
- (Dieser Job stellt hohe Ansprüche an dich.)