der  Tisch

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/tɪʃ/

🍽️ What does "der Tisch" mean?

The German noun Tisch means 'table'. It refers to a piece of furniture with a flat top and one or more legs, used as a surface for working at, eating from, or on which to place things.

The word Tisch is masculine, so its definite article is der Tisch.

• Main meaning: table (piece of furniture)

🚨 There are no common mistakes regarding the article, as "Tisch" is consistently masculine.

🧐 Grammar of "der Tisch" in Detail

The noun "Tisch" is masculine. Here is its declension in all four cases (Kasus) in singular and plural:

📝 Example Sentences

1. Das Buch liegt auf dem Tisch.
   (The book is lying on the table.) (Dative Singular)
2. Ich kaufe einen neuen Tisch für das Wohnzimmer.
   (I am buying a new table for the living room.) (Accusative Singular)
3. Die Oberfläche des Tisches ist zerkratzt.
   (The surface of the table is scratched.) (Genitive Singular)
4. Alle Tische im Restaurant waren besetzt.
   (All the tables in the restaurant were occupied.) (Nominative Plural)
5. Wir stellten die Stühle zu den Tischen.
   (We put the chairs to the tables.) (Dative Plural)

💡 How to use "Tisch"?

"Der Tisch" is an everyday word used in many contexts:

• In the home: Esstisch (dining table), Küchentisch (kitchen table), Couchtisch (coffee table), Schreibtisch (desk), Nachttisch (bedside table).
• At the workplace: Schreibtisch (desk), Konferenztisch (conference table).
• In restaurants/pubs: Restauranttisch (restaurant table), Stammtisch (regulars' table).
• Figurative meanings & Idioms:
  • etwas unter den Tisch fallen lassen: (to let something fall under the table) - to ignore or disregard something.
  • reinen Tisch machen: (to make a clean table) - to clear the air, be honest, settle a matter.
  • jemanden über den Tisch ziehen: (to pull someone over the table) - to rip someone off, cheat someone.
  • vom Tisch sein: (to be off the table) - to be finished, settled, or no longer relevant.
  • an einen Tisch bringen: (to bring to one table) - to bring different parties together for negotiations.

Compared to more specific terms like Schreibtisch (desk) or Esstisch (dining table), Tisch is the general term.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Tisch"

Mnemonic for the article (der):

Imagine a strong man ('der Mann') carrying a heavy oak table ('Tisch'). The masculine association helps remember 'der'. Alternatively, 'der' sounds a bit like 'dare' - you might 'dare' to put your feet on 'der Tisch'.

Mnemonic for the meaning (table):

The word 'Tisch' sounds a bit like 'dish'. You put dishes on a table.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms of Tisch

Potentially Confusing Words:

• Theke: (Counter) - Similar, but usually higher and narrower, often found in bars or shops.
• Tresen: (Counter) - Similar to Theke.

😂 A Little Joke

DE: Fragt der Lehrer: "Was ist der Unterschied zwischen einem Tisch und einem Stuhl?" Antwortet Fritzchen: "Ganz einfach, Herr Lehrer! Auf den Tisch stellt man Sachen drauf, auf den Stuhl setzt man sich drauf – außer man ist Tischler, dann stellt man auch Tische drauf!"

EN: The teacher asks: "What's the difference between a table and a chair?" Little Fritz answers: "Easy, teacher! You put things on the table, you sit on the chair – unless you're a carpenter (Tischler), then you also put tables on it!"

📜 Poem about the Table

DE:
Ein Tisch, stabil und breit,
Steht für uns stets bereit.
Für Essen, Spiel und Arbeit hier,
Ein treuer Freund, das glauben wir.
Mal rund, mal Eck, aus Holz, aus Glas,
Der Tisch, er dient uns ohne Maß.

EN:
A table, stable and wide,
Always ready by our side.
For food, for games, for work right here,
A faithful friend, we hold so dear.
Sometimes round, sometimes square, wood or glass,
The table serves us, time does pass.

❓ A Little Riddle

DE:
Ich habe Beine, kann doch nicht gehen.
Ich habe eine Platte, kann nichts verstehen.
Man isst an mir, man schreibt auf mir,
Was bin ich wohl, sag es mir!

EN:
I have legs, but cannot walk.
I have a top, but cannot talk (understand).
People eat at me, people write on me,
What could I be, tell me!

Solution: Der Tisch (The table)

🧩 Other Info & Trivia

• Etymology: The word "Tisch" comes from the Old High German word "tisc", which originally meant "bowl" or "plate" and was borrowed from the Latin "discus" (discus, plate, bowl). The meaning later shifted to the piece of furniture.
• Compound Words: "Tisch" is part of many compound German words:
• Tischbein (leg of a table)
• Tischdecke (tablecloth)
• Tischler (carpenter/joiner, especially one who makes tables/furniture)
• Tischtennis (table tennis)
• Tischwein (table wine)
• Nachttisch (bedside table)
• Schreibtisch (desk)