German · Home, Clothes & Daily Life

"Table" in German: Tisch

der Tisch

Say it: tishmasculine · der Tischnoun/tɪʃ/

Table in German is der Tisch. You sit am Tisch and set it with den Tisch decken. A coffee table is often der Couchtisch.

Before dinner

Kannst du bitte den Tisch decken?
Can you please set the table?
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How to pronounce Tisch

Say it

tish

/tɪʃ/

tish. Short i, soft final sch like English "sh". One syllable.

"Table" in German: quick reference

GermanEnglish
der Tischthe table

Dining or general table.

am Tischat the table

Sitting location.

den Tisch deckento set the table

Before a meal.

der Schreibtischdesk

Work table compound.

How to use Tisch in real life

  1. 1Before dinner

    Kannst du bitte den Tisch decken?

    Can you please set the table?

    Den Tisch is accusative.

  2. 2Café seat

    Ist der Tisch dort noch frei?

    Is that table over there still free?

    Common question when seating yourself.

  3. 3Cleaning up

    Wir räumen den Tisch gemeinsam ab.

    We're clearing the table together.

    Abräumen for clearing dishes.

Mistakes English speakers make with Tisch

Incorrect: die Tisch

Correct: der Tisch

Tisch is masculine.

Incorrect: auf dem Tisch sitzen (for dining)

Correct: am Tisch sitzen

You sit at the table: am Tisch. Auf dem Tisch means on top of the table.

Good to know

Meals often start once everyone is am Tisch. Asking Darf ich den Tisch abbuchen? is not the idiom—say Zahlen, bitte. Leaving jackets on a café Tisch to reserve seats is common for a short time.

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Getting ready for guests

  1. ChatPal

    Wo sollen die Teller auf dem Tisch?

    Where should the plates go on the table?

  2. You

    Stell sie einfach auf den Tisch, ich ordne später.

    Just put them on the table, I'll arrange later.

  3. ChatPal

    Okay. Brauchen wir Kerzen für den Tisch?

    Okay. Do we need candles for the table?

  4. You

    Ja, eine in der Mitte vom Tisch reicht.

    Yes, one in the middle of the table is enough.

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"Table" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Table" in German

What gender is Tisch?

Masculine: der Tisch, den Tisch, am Tisch.

How do you say set the table?

Den Tisch decken.

How do you say at the table?

Am Tisch.

What is a desk called?

Often der Schreibtisch.

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