sterbe

Sterbe is a German verb form derived from sterben, meaning to die. It is not a separate lexical item but one inflected form of the verb that appears in different moods and tenses. In the present indicative, the first person singular form is ich sterbe. In the Konjunktiv I (present subjunctive), which is used in indirect or reported speech, the same spelling sterbe appears for the first person singular (ich sterbe) and for the third person singular (er sterbe). This overlap means the word sterbe can be ambiguous without context, since it may reflect either a present indicative or a subjunctive form.

Usage and function. As a form of sterben, sterbe participates in standard German grammar of tense and mood. It does not carry a separate meaning beyond the verb itself. Its presence in a sentence signals the person and mood of the verb: ich sterbe indicates a first-person present action, while dass er sterbe signals a reported or hypothetical action in the subjunctive.

Conjugation note. The verb sterben belongs to the strong verbs class in German. Its present stem is sterb-, and the endings vary by person and mood. The form sterbe is particularly notable for its dual role: it is the 1st person singular present indicative form and also the 3rd person singular form in Konjunktiv I.

Etymology. Sterben comes from Old High German sterban, related to other Germanic languages’ terms for dying. The modern form sterbe reflects regular German verb development and inflection patterns.

See also. Sterben (the base verb), Konjunktiv I (subjunctive mood), German verb conjugation.