sterben
Translation
to die, to pass away
Examples
Ihr sterbt, wenn ihr nicht atmet.
You die if you don't breathe.
"Sterbt, ihr Monster!", rief der Held.
"Die, you monsters!", shouted the hero.
Grammar Patterns
to die ((of sth.)) He died of an illness.
to die ((for sth.)) The soldier died for his country.
Similar Words
Synonyms: umkommen, verenden (for animals), ableben (euphemism)
Etymology
From Proto-Germanic *sterbaną. It is cognate with the English word 'starve', which originally meant 'to die' in general, not just from hunger.
Memory Tips
Connect it to the English word 'starve'. Imagine a dramatic scene where someone starves to death to link the sounds and the general concept of dying.