01
das Dach
roof
The top covering of a building that protects it from weather such as rain and snow.
example
Nach dem Sturm musste das Dach repariert werden.
After the storm, the roof had to be repaired.
das Dach
roof
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Part of many words
'Dach' (roof) is a very productive base word in German. You find it in many compounds that refer to the upper part of a house, such as 'Dachgeschoss' (attic floor/top floor), 'Dachfenster' (roof window/skylight), 'Dachterrasse' (roof terrace), or 'Dachziegel' (roof tile).
EXAMPLE
Wir wohnen im Dachgeschoss und haben eine kleine Dachterrasse.
We live on the top floor and have a small roof terrace.
Prepositions: auf and unter
Pay attention to the case with prepositions. 'Auf dem Dach' (on the roof; dative) describes a position, while 'aufs Dach' (onto the roof; accusative) describes movement.
EXAMPLE
Der Schornsteinfeger arbeitet auf dem Dach.
The chimney sweep is working on the roof.
Fixed expression
The expression 'ein Dach über dem Kopf haben' (to have a roof over one's head) means, figuratively, to have a home or safe shelter. It is often used to express a basic need.
EXAMPLE
Solange ich ein Dach über dem Kopf und genug zu essen habe, bin ich zufrieden.
As long as I have a roof over my head and enough to eat, I'm satisfied.
Fixed expression
The phrase 'unter einem Dach' (under one roof) is often used to emphasize that several people or groups live or work together in the same house/building.
EXAMPLE
Die Firma vereint mehrere Abteilungen unter einem Dach.
The company brings several departments together under one roof.
Fixed expression (dative)
In the colloquial expression 'jemandem aufs Dach steigen' (to get on someone's case), the person being criticized is always in the dative. It means to confront someone angrily.
EXAMPLE
Mein Chef ist mir heute wegen des Fehlers richtig aufs Dach gestiegen.
My boss really got on my case today because of the mistake.
Compare with
Dach vs Decke
blanket / ceiling
'das Dach' and 'die Decke' can both be above you, but they belong to different perspectives. 'das Dach' is on the outside of a building and protects it from rain, snow, or sun. 'die Decke' is the upper surface inside a room, above your head. Learners can easily confuse the words because in both cases something closes off a space at the top. Remember: outside on the house is the roof, inside the room is the ceiling.
Dach
Nach dem Sturm muss Herr Schwarz das Dach des Hauses reparieren lassen.
After the storm, Mr. Schwarz has to have the roof of the house repaired.
Decke
Im Büro hängt eine Lampe direkt an der Decke.
In the office, a lamp hangs directly from the ceiling.
In real life
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