der
Ladentisch
🛍️ What exactly is a Ladentisch?
A Ladentisch (article: der) is a piece of furniture typically found in shops (Läden). It serves as a central point of contact for customers and salespeople.
- It's the place where goods are presented, selected, packaged, and paid for.
- It often separates the customer area from the staff area.
- Its shape and size can vary greatly depending on the type of shop (e.g., a long counter in a bakery, a smaller table in a boutique).
It is a compound noun formed from der Laden (shop) and der Tisch (table).
🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Der Ladentisch
The noun "Ladentisch" is masculine. The article is "der". Here is the declension:
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | der | Ladentisch |
| Genitive (Whose?) | des | Ladentisches / Ladentischs |
| Dative (To whom?) | dem | Ladentisch(e) |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | den | Ladentisch |
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Ladentische |
| Genitive | der | Ladentische |
| Dative | den | Ladentischen |
| Accusative | die | Ladentische |
💡 Example Sentences
- Der Kunde legte die Ware auf den Ladentisch.
(The customer placed the goods on the counter.) - Die Kasse steht hinter dem Ladentisch.
(The cash register is behind the counter.) - Die Oberfläche des Ladentisches war aus Holz.
(The surface of the counter was made of wood.) - In diesem Geschäft gibt es mehrere Ladentische.
(There are several counters in this shop.)
🛒 When and how to use "Ladentisch"?
The term Ladentisch is mainly used in the context of retail stores.
- Typical situations: When paying, during the handover of goods, for product presentation directly at the point of sale, during consultations while standing.
- Context: Refers to the physical piece of furniture. Figuratively, the phrase "etwas geht über den Ladentisch" means something is sold (sometimes implying secrecy or illegality, depending on context - like 'under the counter').
- Comparison: A Theke is often synonymous but can also be used in bars or reception areas. A Tresen is also similar, often appearing a bit higher or more massive. A Schreibtisch (desk) is primarily for working, not for sales.
You find Ladentische in pharmacies (Apotheken), bakeries (Bäckereien), butcher shops (Metzgereien), boutiques, bookshops (Buchhandlungen), and many other stores.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article Mnemonic: Remember that both der Laden (the shop) and der Tisch (the table) are masculine in German. Two masculine words combine to make another masculine word: der Ladentisch.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine putting your shopping items on a Tisch (table) in a Laden (shop) to pay – that's the Ladentisch (shop counter).
↔️ Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar meaning):
⚠️ Potential for Confusion?
- Der Schreibtisch: A desk for working, not primarily for sales.
- Die Werkbank: A workbench for manual labor.
😄 A Little Joke
DE: Warum hat der Bäcker seinen Ladentisch poliert? Damit die Preise glänzen können! ✨
EN: Why did the baker polish his shop counter? So the prices could shine! ✨
📜 A Short Poem
DE:
Im Laden, hell und breit,
steht er da, zu jeder Zeit.
Der Tisch, wo Ware wechselt Hand,
der Ladentisch, im ganzen Land.
Man zahlt, man packt, man lächelt froh,
am Ende der Einkaufsshow.
EN:
In the shop, bright and wide,
It stands there, always inside.
The table where goods change hand,
The shop counter, across the land.
You pay, you pack, with a happy face,
At the end of the shopping race.
❓ Riddle Time
DE:
Ich steh' im Geschäft, doch kauf' nichts ein.
Auf mir liegt oft Geld, mal groß, mal klein.
Der Verkäufer steht hinter mir,
der Kunde davor, das sag ich dir.
Was bin ich?
... Der Ladentisch
EN:
I stand in the store, but buy nothing at all.
Money often lies on me, sometimes big, sometimes small.
The seller stands behind me, it's true,
The customer in front, I'm telling you.
What am I?
... The shop counter (der Ladentisch)
📌 Other Information
Word Composition (Kompositum):
The word "Ladentisch" is composed of two nouns:
The gender of the compound noun is determined by the last word ("Grundwort"), which is "der Tisch" here, making the compound noun masculine: "der Ladentisch".
Cultural Significance: The Ladentisch often symbolizes the interface between commerce and the consumer, the place where goods and money are exchanged.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Ladentisch?
The word "Ladentisch" is a masculine noun. The correct article is always der: der Ladentisch (nominative), des Ladentisches (genitive), dem Ladentisch (dative), den Ladentisch (accusative). The plural form is die Ladentische.