der
Teppichboden
🛋️ What does 'Teppichboden' mean?
Der Teppichboden (noun, masculine) refers to a textile floor covering that is permanently installed and typically covers the entire floor area of a room from wall to wall. This distinguishes it from a Teppich (rug), which usually lies loose and is smaller.
There is only this one article and this one main meaning for the word. It is a compound word formed from:
So, a 'Teppichboden' is essentially a 'carpet for the whole floor'. In English, it translates to fitted carpet or wall-to-wall carpeting.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-en → mostly masculine.
1. All diminutives with '-chen' are neutral, like 'das Mädchen'. 2. Nouns derived from verbs are always neutral ('das Schrieben'). 3. There are many -en words, we won't list them all.
Grammar Corner: Declining 'der Teppichboden'
The word "Teppichboden" is a masculine noun. The article is der.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | der | Teppichboden |
| Genitive (Possessive) | des | Teppichbodens |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | dem | Teppichboden |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | den | Teppichboden |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Teppichböden |
| Genitive | der | Teppichböden |
| Dative | den | Teppichböden |
| Accusative | die | Teppichböden |
Example Sentences
- Im Wohnzimmer liegt ein neuer Teppichboden.
(There is a new fitted carpet in the living room.) - Die Farbe des Teppichbodens gefällt mir sehr gut.
(I really like the colour of the fitted carpet.) - Wir müssen auf dem Teppichboden noch einen Fleck entfernen.
(We still need to remove a stain from the fitted carpet.) - Sie möchten den Teppichboden professionell reinigen lassen.
(They want to have the fitted carpet professionally cleaned.) - In modernen Büros findet man oft strapazierfähige Teppichböden.
(In modern offices, you often find durable fitted carpets.)
Using 'Teppichboden' in Context
"Teppichboden" is used when talking about permanently installed textile flooring that covers an entire room.
- Context: Interior design, renovation, home construction, office furnishing.
- Distinction: Unlike 'Teppichboden', a Teppich (rug) is usually smaller, lies loose, and covers only part of the floor (e.g., a runner in the hallway, a small rug beside the bed). Colloquially, Germans might sometimes say "Teppich" when they mean 'Teppichboden', but "Teppichboden" is the precise term for wall-to-wall carpeting.
- Typical Adjectives: weich (soft), flauschig (fluffy), strapazierfähig (durable, hard-wearing), schmutzabweisend (stain-resistant), gemustert (patterned), einfarbig (plain, single-coloured), hochflorig (high-pile), niederflorig (low-pile).
Common phrases are "Teppichboden verlegen" (to lay/install fitted carpet) or "Teppichboden reinigen" (to clean fitted carpet).
🧠 Remembering 'der Teppichboden'
For the article 'der': Think of "der Boden" (the floor/ground). The carpet lies on the floor. Since 'Boden' is masculine (*der*), 'Teppichboden' is also masculine: der Teppichboden.
For the meaning: Imagine a huge Teppich (carpet/rug) that's so large it covers the entire Boden (floor) of a room. That's a Teppichboden (fitted carpet).
Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Auslegware: Very common synonym, emphasizes laying it out in the room.
- Spannteppich: Emphasizes the installation method (stretching).
- Teppichbelag: General term for textile floor covering.
⚠️ Note: Don't confuse "Teppichboden" (fitted carpet) with "Teppich" (rug). A 'Teppich' is movable and smaller, while 'Teppichboden' is installed and room-sized.
A Little Floor Fun 😄
DE: Warum hat der Teppichboden schlechte Laune? – Weil ständig auf ihm herumgetrampelt wird!
EN: Why is the fitted carpet in a bad mood? – Because people are constantly trampling all over it!
Verses for the Floor 🧶
DE:
Von Wand zu Wand, so weich und breit,
liegt der Teppichboden allezeit.
Er dämpft den Schritt, hält Füße warm,
schützt vor Kälte, Lärm und Harm.
Mal bunt, mal schlicht, je nach Geschmack,
ist er im Haus oft gut verpackt.
EN:
From wall to wall, so soft and wide,
The fitted carpet does reside.
It cushions steps, keeps feet warm too,
Protects from cold, noise, and harm for you.
Sometimes colourful, sometimes plain, you see,
It's often well-installed in homes with glee.
Who or what am I? 🤔
DE:
Ich bedecke den Raum von Wand zu Wand,
bin weich und oft bunt, wie bekannt.
Ich bin kein einzelner Teppich, klein und fein,
sondern fülle den ganzen Boden allein.
Ich liege fest und bleibe hier,
sorge für Gemütlichkeit bei dir.
Was bin ich?
EN:
I cover the room from wall to wall,
I'm soft and often colourful, known to all.
I'm not a single rug, small and neat,
But fill the entire floor beneath your feet.
I lie fixed and stay right here,
Bringing cosiness and cheer.
What am I?
(Answer: Der Teppichboden / Fitted carpet)
More Facts about Teppichboden
Word Composition:
The word "Teppichboden" is a compound noun, made up of:
- der Teppich (carpet/rug - origin possibly Persian/Turkish)
- der Boden (floor/ground - Germanic origin)
Materials and Types:
Fitted carpets (Teppichböden) are available in various materials (e.g., Wolle - wool, synthetic fibers like Polyamid - polyamide, Polypropylen - polypropylene) and different manufacturing types, which affect the surface and durability:
- Velours: Cut loops, resulting in a soft, velvety surface.
- Schlinge (Schlingenflor): Loop pile (uncut loops), often very durable.
- Nadelvlies: Needle felt/Needle punch carpet, very hard-wearing, often used in offices or public areas.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Teppichboden?
The word "Teppichboden" is masculine, so the correct article is "der": der Teppichboden. It refers to a permanently installed, wall-to-wall textile floor covering.