Stiefel
/ˈʃtiːfəl/masculine
In German, the English phrase 'boot' (referring to footwear) is translated as Stiefel.
The word Stiefel refers to a heavy shoe that covers part of the leg. While the English word 'boot' can sometimes refer to the trunk of a car, the German word Stiefel is used strictly for footwear.
Meaning: heavy shoe that covers part of the leg (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some areas of northern Germany, the informal term Treter is used when referring to shoes, including boots.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word Stiefel is the same in both its singular and plural forms.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʃtiːfəl/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the German word Boot when you mean footwear. In German, Boot refers to a small boat.
Did you know?
- The word Stiefel is believed by some to come from the Latin word aestas, which means 'summer'. This implies that the original boots were intended as light footwear for the warmer months.
- In German military history, the Marschstiefel was a specific type of ankle boot used by soldiers that became a powerful cultural symbol of authority and discipline.
- While Stiefel is the standard term, some people in northern Germany use Treter to describe boots. This word literally means 'treader' or 'something used for stepping'.
Examples in context
- An meinem linken Stiefel fehlt der Absatz.My left boot is missing its heel.This sentence shows how to describe a missing heel on a Stiefel.Tatoeba #1300084 by al_ex_an_der, translation #11864529 by sundown
- Der Stiefel des Soldaten blieb im Schlamm stecken.The soldier's boot was stuck in the mud.This sentence describes a Stiefel being stuck in mud.Tatoeba #1755996 by Zaghawa, translation #11256077 by sundown
- Wenn du ein Bild der Zukunft willst, stelle dir einen Stiefel vor, der auf ein menschliches Gesicht tritt, und zwar immer wieder.If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face, forever.This sentence uses a Stiefel as part of a metaphorical image.Tatoeba #11619204 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #5687953 by Hybrid
- Eine hochwertige Auswahl an Stiefeln finden Sie in dieser Boutique.You can find a high-quality selection of boots in this boutique.
- Ich habe mir gestern neue Schuhe gekauft – richtige Winterstiefel!I bought myself new shoes yesterday – proper winter boots!
- Pass auf, dass du dir nicht den Schlamm auf die neuen Treter schmierst.Watch out not to smear mud on your new boots.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Hannah are getting ready to go outside in the rain.
- LukasWo ist mein linker Stiefel?Where is my left boot?
- HannahEr steht dort im Flur, Lukas.It is standing there in the hallway, Lukas.
- LukasDanke, jetzt kann ich endlich losgehen.Thanks, now I can finally leave.
- HannahZieh deinen Stiefel bitte schnell an.Please put your boot on quickly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “boot” translations and entries Stiefel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Stiefel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
