Anstieg

Anstieg is a German noun that denotes a rise, ascent, or incline. It can refer to a physical slope, as in a road or hillside, as well as to a quantitative increase, such as rising numbers, prices, or measurements. The term is neutral and widely used in everyday language as well as in technical contexts.

The word derives from the verb steigen (to rise) with the prefix an-, forming a noun that indicates the act or result of rising. It has been part of the German lexicon since the medieval period and is used in a variety of compounds and expressions.

In geography and civil engineering, Anstieg describes a gradient or incline of terrain, road, or railway, often given as a percentage. In statistics and economics, it denotes an upward change or trend, for example the Anstieg der Bevölkerung or des Verbraucherpreises. In medicine and physiology, it can refer to a rise in a measurement or biomarker, such as a fever or blood pressure. In sports and hiking, an Anstieg is an uphill section of a course.

Anstieg is closely related to Steigung, Erhöhung, and Zunahme; nuances exist: Anstieg often emphasizes the process or passage to a higher level rather than a fixed quantity. In usage, verbs such as verzeichnen or steigen an are common.