die
Etage
🏢 What does "die Etage" mean?
The word die Etage [eˈtaːʒə] means a floor, story, or level of a building. It is a feminine noun.
It's used to describe the different levels in a house, office building, or any other multi-story structure. The floors are usually counted upwards from the ground floor (*Erdgeschoss*).
- Example: Das Büro befindet sich in der dritten Etage. (The office is on the third floor.)
- Example: Wir wohnen in der obersten Etage. (We live on the top floor.)
⚠️ Note: The ground floor (*Erdgeschoss*) is sometimes referred to as the "zeroth floor" or simply *Erdgeschoss*. The *erste Etage* (first floor) is then the level above it. This differs from American English usage where the first floor is the ground floor.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
📐 Grammar of "die Etage" in Detail
Die Etage is a feminine noun. Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Etage |
| Genitive | der | Etage |
| Dative | der | Etage |
| Accusative | die | Etage |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Etagen |
| Genitive | der | Etagen |
| Dative | den | Etagen |
| Accusative | die | Etagen |
Example Sentences for Grammar
- Der Aufzug fährt bis zur obersten Etage. (The elevator goes up to the top floor.) (Dative Singular)
- Die Fenster der Etage sind schmutzig. (The windows of the floor are dirty.) (Genitive Singular)
- Ich suche die Etage, in der Herr Müller arbeitet. (I am looking for the floor where Mr. Müller works.) (Accusative Singular)
- In den unteren Etagen gibt es Geschäfte. (There are shops on the lower floors.) (Dative Plural)
- Die oberen Etagen bieten eine tolle Aussicht. (The upper floors offer a great view.) (Nominative Plural)
💡 How to use "die Etage"?
Die Etage is primarily used in the context of buildings to name a specific floor or level.
- In everyday life: When asking for directions ("In welcher Etage ist das Meeting?" - "On which floor is the meeting?") or describing your own apartment ("Ich wohne in der zweiten Etage." - "I live on the second floor." Note: in German context, this usually means the third level from the ground).
- Difference to "Stockwerk": *Etage* and *Stockwerk* are largely synonymous. *Etage* often sounds slightly more formal or is used more frequently in official contexts (e.g., hotels, office buildings), while *Stockwerk* is more common in everyday language. However, both are correct and understandable. *Geschoss* is another alternative, often found in blueprints or technical descriptions.
- Floor numbering: Be aware of the different numbering systems. In Germany, the *Erdgeschoss* (EG) is the ground-level floor. Above it comes the *1. Etage* (first floor), then the *2. Etage* (second floor), and so on. This is different from American English. The German *erste Etage* corresponds to the British *first floor* and the American *second floor*.
Typical phrases:
- "in der ... Etage" (e.g., in der fünften Etage - on the fifth floor)
- "auf einer Etage" (e.g., alle Büros sind auf einer Etage - all offices are on one floor)
- "eine Etage höher/tiefer" (one floor higher/lower)
🧠 Mnemonics for "die Etage"
- For the article "die": Imagine a very elegant lady (feminine!) saying in a fancy hotel: "I'd like a room on theese beautiful floor!" The word *Etage* ends in '-e', which is often (but not always!) an indicator for feminine nouns in German ('die').
- For the meaning "floor/story": Think of taking a trip up a building in "stages" – each stage is an *Etage*. Or recall its French origin, "étage", and picture an elegant French balcony on a specific *Etage*.
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- das Stockwerk: Very common synonym, often interchangeable with *Etage*.
- das Geschoss: More technical or used in architecture (e.g., *Obergeschoss* - upper floor, *Dachgeschoss* - attic floor).
- die Ebene: More general term for 'level', can refer to other horizontal surfaces, but also synonymous in the context of buildings.
Antonyms (Opposite Concepts)
There are no direct antonyms, but contrasting locations within a building:
- das Erdgeschoss: The lowest, ground-level floor.
- der Keller / das Untergeschoss: The floor(s) below the ground floor (basement).
- das Dachgeschoss: The top floor directly under the roof (attic).
⚠️ Similar Sounding Words
😂 A Little Joke
Warum nehmen Aufzüge nie Urlaub?
Weil sie immer auf einer anderen Etage arbeiten müssen! 😄
(Why do elevators never take a vacation? Because they always have to work on a different floor!)
📜 Poem about the Etage
Stufe um Stufe, Schritt für Schritt,
die Treppe führt uns emsig mit.
Hoch zur Wohnung, welch ein Segen,
in der vierten, schönen Etage gelegen.
Der Ausblick weit, die Luft so klar,
hier oben ist es wunderbar!
(Step by step, pace by pace,
The stairs diligently lead us apace.
Up to the flat, what a blessing serene,
Located on the fourth beautiful floor, so keen.
The view is wide, the air so clear,
It's wonderful up here!)
❓ Little Riddle
Ich habe viele Fenster, aber keine Augen.
Ich liege über anderen, doch kann nicht fliegen.
Man erreicht mich per Treppe oder Lift geschwind.
In einem hohen Haus man mich oft find'.
Was bin ich? ... Die Etage
(I have many windows, but no eyes.
I lie above others, yet cannot fly.
You reach me quickly by stairs or lift's ride.
In a tall house, I often reside.
What am I?
... The floor/story (die Etage))
🌍 Other Information
- Word Origin: The word *Etage* comes from the French word "étage," which also means floor or story. It was adopted into German in the 17th century.
- Compounds: You often find *Etage* in compound words like Etagenwohnung (apartment occupying one floor), Etagenbett (bunk bed - slightly different meaning), Etagenheizung (floor heating system), or Zwischenetage (mezzanine floor).
Summary: is it der, die or das Etage?
The correct article for Etage is die. So it is always die Etage (e.g., die erste Etage - the first floor). The plural is die Etagen.