verb
to steal
B1
stehlen means 'to steal' (take something unlawfully). It's a strong irregular verb: present vowel change e→ie (du stiehlst, er stiehlt); past stem stahl-, past participle gestohlen. Uses auxiliary haben in perfect. Not reflexive. Commonly used with a direct object (etwas stehlen).
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.EXAMPLES
Er hat versucht, das Geld zu stehlen.
He tried to steal the money.
Er stahl das Fahrrad.
He stole the bicycle.
Der Dieb stahl die Tasche, obwohl viele Menschen in der Nähe waren, und wurde später gefasst.
The thief stole the bag even though many people were nearby, and was caught later.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.DETAILS_LABEL
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.MNEMONICS
Imagine someone slipping a small item into their sleeve to 'steal' it
Sounds like English 'steal' — same root idea
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.NOTES
Strong irregular verb with a vowel change in the present (e → ie). Used transitively (someone steals something).