Verb

stellen

Translation

to put, to place (vertically), to set, to ask (a question)

Stell das Buch ins Regal.

Put the book on the shelf.

Er stellt dem Lehrer eine Frage.

He asks the teacher a question.

Stell den Wecker auf sechs Uhr.

Set the alarm for six o'clock.

((sth.)) ((somewhere)) to put sth. somewhere Put the glass on the table.

((sb.dat)) ((sth.acc)) to ask sb. a question She asks the professor a question.

((sth.)) ((auf+acc)) to set sth. to sth. I'm setting the alarm for 7 o'clock.

legen (to lay, place horizontally), setzen (to set, place seated); Antonyms: nehmen (to take)

From Old High German 'stellen' (to place, set up), related to English 'stall'.

Think of 'stellen' for placing things upright, like a bottle (Flasche) or a book (Buch). Use 'legen' for flat things.