The word "sterba" is typically pronounced with a soft "e" sound at the end, represented in IPA phonetic transcription as /stɛrbə/. The spelling of this word can be confusing, as it may be mistaken for "sterve" or "stirrup" when written. However, the correct spelling is "sterba" and it refers to a type of plant commonly known as the feather grass. The word originates from the Czech language and has spread to other Slavic languages, including Russian and Polish.