das  Stockwerk

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃtɔkvɛʁk/

🏢 What does "das Stockwerk" mean?

Das Stockwerk (noun, neuter) means a floor, storey, or level of a building, especially one above the ground floor. It refers to the horizontal section of a structure.

There's only one article for this word: das Stockwerk.

• Example: Unser Büro befindet sich im dritten Stockwerk. (Our office is on the third floor.)

⚠️ Attention: In German, the ground floor is often called *Erdgeschoss* or sometimes counted as the "0. Stockwerk". The floor above it is then the *1. Stockwerk*. This differs from counting conventions in some other countries (e.g., the US, where the ground floor is often the "first floor").

📊 Grammar of "das Stockwerk"

Stockwerk is a neuter noun (sächlich). It follows the strong declension pattern.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

Example Sentences

• Nominative: Das Stockwerk über uns wird gerade renoviert. (The floor above us is currently being renovated.)
• Genitive: Die Höhe des Stockwerks beträgt drei Meter. (The height of the floor is three meters.)
• Dative: Wir wohnen in dem obersten Stockwerk. (We live on the top floor.)
• Accusative: Sie sucht das Stockwerk mit der Bibliothek. (She is looking for the floor with the library.)
• Plural: Die oberen Stockwerke bieten eine tolle Aussicht. (The upper floors offer a great view.)

🛠️ How "das Stockwerk" is used

Das Stockwerk is used to describe the different levels of a building, particularly those above the ground floor (Erdgeschoss).

• Typical Contexts: Apartment listings (Wohnungsanzeigen), directions within buildings (Wegbeschreibungen), architecture (Architektur), construction (Bauwesen).
• Combinations: Often used with ordinal numbers (erstes, zweites, drittes Stockwerk - first, second, third floor), adjectives (oberstes, unteres Stockwerk - top, lower floor), or in compound words (Zwischenstockwerk - mezzanine floor).
• Compared to Synonyms:
  • die Etage: Very common synonym, often used interchangeably. Sometimes perceived as slightly more elegant than Stockwerk.
  • das Geschoss: Also common, often includes the ground floor or basement levels (e.g., *Erdgeschoss* - ground floor, *Obergeschoss* - upper floor, *Dachgeschoss* - attic floor, *Untergeschoss* - basement level). Stockwerk usually refers specifically to the levels *above* the ground floor.

Example: "Fahren Sie mit dem Aufzug in das vierte Stockwerk, dort finden Sie die Personalabteilung." ("Take the elevator to the fourth floor; you'll find the HR department there.")

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Stockwerk"

For the article (das): Think of "das Werk" (the work, the factory, the creation). A building is a large neutral "Werk", and a *Stockwerk* is a part of that neutral thing. Therefore: das (Stock)Werk.

For the meaning (floor/storey): Imagine carrying a heavy *Stock* (stick or pole) up the stairs, doing the *Werk* (work) level by level, to get to the next Stockwerk. Each level is a piece of "Stock-Werk".

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Architekt den Bauherrn: "Wie viele Stockwerke soll Ihr neues Haus haben?" Sagt der Bauherr: "Hm, sagen wir mal... alle!"

English Translation: The architect asks the client: "How many floors (Stockwerke) should your new house have?" The client says: "Hmm, let's say... all of them!"

📜 A Poem about Floors

German:
Ein Haus ragt hoch, ein stolzes Werk,
geteilt in manches Stockwerk.
Mal steigst du auf, mal steigst du ab,
mal langsam und mal ziemlich knapp.

English Translation:
A house stands tall, a proud creation,
divided into many a floor/storey (Stockwerk).
Sometimes you climb up, sometimes descend,
sometimes slowly, sometimes in a hurry, my friend.

❓ Riddle

German:
Ich wachse nicht am Baum, doch hab 'nen Stock im Namen.
Ich bin ein Teil vom Haus, in vielen Bauwerksrahmen.
Man zählt mich oft von unten, mal Erdgeschoss genannt,
mal erste Etage, je nach Land.

Was bin ich? ... Das Stockwerk

English Translation:
I don't grow on trees, but have 'Stock' (stick) in my name.
I'm part of a house, in many building frames.
I'm often counted from below, sometimes called ground floor,
sometimes first floor, depending on the country's lore.

What am I? ... A floor/storey (Das Stockwerk)

🧩 Other Information

Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung):

The word Stockwerk is a compound noun, made up of:

• Stock: Originally, in construction, *Stock* referred to the vertical support beams or posts of a floor, especially in timber framing (Fachwerkbau). Another derivation relates to the tree *stock* or trunk as a base.
• Werk: Here refers to the *Bauwerk* (structure, building), the construction, or the result of work.

So, a Stockwerk is literally the "work" or structure resting on a particular level of "stocks" (supports) or reaching a certain height.

Cultural Note: The way floors are counted varies internationally. In Germany and many European countries, the ground floor (Erdgeschoss) is effectively the "0th floor", and the floor above it is the 1. Stockwerk. In the US and some other countries, the ground floor is the "1st floor". This can lead to confusion!