Usage Note
Stapel denotes a pile or stack of flat objects: ein Stapel Bücher, ein Stapel Papier. Vom Stapel laufen (to be launched, of a ship) is a fixed expression.
Examples
"Auf dem Schreibtisch lag ein hoher Stapel Akten."
Natural Translation
A tall stack of files lay on the desk.
Literal Translation
On the desk lay a high stack files.

Free starter pack
Building your German vocabulary?
Get the 100 most common German words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.
Related Words
Explore German by topic
GermanNow
6 min read