Stirb

Stirb is the second-person singular imperative form of the German verb sterben, meaning “to die.” It is used to issue a direct command to one person and is therefore extremely blunt or confrontational in ordinary speech. Because of its harsh literal meaning, Stirb appears most often in dramatic, literary, or fictional contexts, or as a quoted line in dialogue, rather than in polite everyday conversation.

Morphology and forms: the base verb is sterben, a strong verb with irregular present tense (du stirbst, er stirbt). The imperative forms are Stirb for the informal singular (du), Stirbt for the informal plural (ihr), and Sterben Sie for the formal address (Sie). Phrases like “Stirb sofort!” intensify the command to “Die immediately!” or “Die now!”

Usage notes: Stirb is rarely appropriate in normal discourse and can be perceived as offensive or threatening. In literature and film, it can convey hostility, coercion, or frightful urgency. When discussing death in a non-violent or clinical sense, alternative expressions are preferred (for example, died or die in a non-imperative context). In translation, Stirb typically becomes “Die!” in English, with nuances depending on tone, formality, and context.

Cultural reference: Stirb Langsam is the German title of the action film Die Hard, where the imperative form appears in a title that conveys a grim, action-oriented mood. This usage underscores the phrase’s strong, violent connotations in popular culture.

See also: sterben, German verb conjugation, Die Hard (Stirb Langsam).