Tisch
/tɪʃ/masculine
The German word for table is Tisch.
Tisch refers to an item of furniture. When you want to describe sitting or being at the table, use the idiomatic phrase am Tisch. Using auf dem Tisch would mean physically on top of the table surface.
Meaning: item of furniture (noun)
Which one should you use?
The diminutive forms Tischlein and Tischchen both refer to a small table. Tafel can specifically refer to a dining or banquet table.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some southern areas of Germany and parts of Austria, Tafel is used interchangeably with Tisch.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a masculine noun, Tisch changes its form depending on the case. It changes to den in the accusative case when the table is the direct object. In the genitive case, the noun typically takes the ending -es, resulting in des Tisches.
How do you pronounce it?
/tɪʃ/
Did you know?
- If a German speaker says unter den Tisch fallen, they are likely talking about someone passing out from drinking too much alcohol.
- In German schools, the word Tafel refers to a chalkboard rather than a piece of furniture.
- The word Tisch is actually a linguistic relative of the English word 'dish'. They both descend from the same ancient root that described a flat object used for serving food.
Examples in context
- Da ist ein Tisch.There's a table.This sentence shows how to use Tisch to state that a table exists.Tatoeba #3239321 by Zaghawa, translation #2252640 by CK
- Wo ist der Tisch?Where's the table?This sentence uses Tisch to ask about the location of the table.Tatoeba #8423334 by Luiaard, translation #5228500 by solejar
- Tom saß am Tisch.Tom was sitting at the table.This sentence demonstrates the idiomatic use of Tisch with am to describe sitting at the table.Tatoeba #8569495 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #3732901 by CK
- Bitte stellen Sie die Akten auf den Tisch.Please place the files on the table.
- Die Speisen werden auf der festlichen Tafel serviert.The dishes will be served on the festive table.
- 1037 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Lukas are arranging a room together.
- HannahStell den Tisch bitte hierhin.Please put the table here.
- LukasIst dieser Tisch nicht zu groß?Isn't this table too big?
- HannahNein, der Tisch passt genau.No, the table fits perfectly.
- LukasOkay, ich schiebe den Tisch jetzt.Okay, I am pushing the table now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “table” translations and entries Tisch, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Tisch, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
