das Brett
board
A long, flat, rectangular piece of wood that has been sawn from a tree trunk.
EXAMPLE
Für den Bau des Regals benötigen wir noch ein stabiles Brett.
We still need a sturdy board to build the shelf.
das Brett
board
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Meanings
das Brett
board
A specially designed board that serves as the playing surface for a board game.
EXAMPLE
Holst du schon mal das Brett für die Schachpartie aus dem Schrank?
Could you go ahead and get the board for the chess game out of the cupboard?
das Brett
shelf
A board that serves as a storage surface in a shelf unit or cabinet; a shelf board.
EXAMPLE
Die schweren Bücher stehen im untersten Brett des Regals.
The heavy books are on the lowest shelf of the bookcase.
das Schwarze Brett
noticeboard
A board in a public place where notices, announcements, and information for a specific group of people are posted.
EXAMPLE
Die Prüfungsergebnisse hängen am Schwarzen Brett im Foyer aus.
The exam results are posted on the noticeboard in the foyer.
das Brett
diving board
A diving board at a swimming pool from which you jump into the water.
EXAMPLE
Sie sprang elegant vom Drei-Meter-Brett ins Becken.
She jumped elegantly from the three-meter diving board into the pool.
ein Brett vor dem Kopf haben
to be slow on the uptake
An idiom meaning that someone does not understand something obvious or is very slow to grasp something.
EXAMPLE
Entschuldigung, ich habe heute anscheinend ein Brett vor dem Kopf und verstehe die einfachste Erklärung nicht.
Sorry, I seem to be really slow on the uptake today and don't understand even the simplest explanation.
Usage tips
Productive compounds
'Brett' (board) is a very productive base word for many objects that are flat and intended for a specific purpose. Examples include 'Schneidebrett' (cutting board), 'Bügelbrett' (ironing board), or 'Surfbrett' (surfboard).
EXAMPLE
Kannst du mir bitte das Schneidebrett für das Gemüse geben?
Could you please give me the cutting board for the vegetables?
Fixed expression
The idiom 'ein Brett vor dem Kopf haben' is a fixed structure. It means that a person does not understand something obvious. The person who does not understand something is the subject of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe ihm die Lösung dreimal erklärt, aber er hat anscheinend ein Brett vor dem Kopf.
I explained the solution to him three times, but he apparently is really slow on the uptake.
Fixed expression
The expression 'das Schwarze Brett' (the noticeboard) is a fixed term for an information board. Even though these boards are often no longer black today, the term is still used, especially at universities, schools, or companies.
EXAMPLE
Neue Jobangebote finden Sie am Schwarzen Brett neben der Kantine.
You can find new job offers on the noticeboard next to the cafeteria.
Game context clue
When 'Brett' (board) is used in connection with words like 'spielen' (to play), 'Schach' (chess), 'Figuren' (pieces), or 'Würfel' (dice), it always means the playing surface of a board game.
EXAMPLE
Setz deine Figur auf das nächste Feld auf dem Brett.
Place your piece on the next square on the board.
Swimming pool context clue
In the context of 'Schwimmbad' (swimming pool), 'springen' (to jump), or 'Wasser' (water), 'Brett' refers to the diving board. The height is often mentioned as well, for example 'das Ein-Meter-Brett' (the one-meter diving board) or 'das Drei-Meter-Brett' (the three-meter diving board).
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder springen mutig vom Ein-Meter-Brett.
The children bravely jump from the one-meter diving board.
Typical collocations
In its basic meaning as a piece of wood, 'Brett' (board) is often combined with verbs like 'sägen' (to saw) or 'nageln' (to nail), or adjectives like 'dick' (thick), 'dünn' (thin), or 'stabil' (sturdy).
EXAMPLE
Der Zimmermann sägt die Bretter für das Dach zu.
The carpenter cuts the boards for the roof to size.
Compare with
Brett vs Platte
plate / record
Platte and Brett overlap when referring to flat wooden pieces. Platte is especially suitable for a broad surface or a sheet-like wood product; Brett typically refers to an elongated piece of wood sawn from a tree trunk. The distinction is not always sharp.
Brett
Für die lange Strebe des Tisches verwendet der Schreiner ein schmales Brett.
The carpenter uses a narrow board for the table's long support.
Platte
Für die breite Tischfläche verwendet der Schreiner eine große Holzplatte.
The carpenter uses a large wooden panel for the broad tabletop.
In real life
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