01
der Dachboden
attic
The space directly under the roof of a house, often used for storing things.
example
Auf dem Dachboden haben wir die alte Truhe meiner Großmutter gefunden.
In the attic, we found my grandmother's old chest.
der Dachboden
attic
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word composition
The word is made up of 'Dach' (roof) and 'Boden' (floor). It literally describes the 'Boden' (floor) directly under the 'Dach' (roof) of a house.
EXAMPLE
Die alte Holzkiste steht ganz hinten auf dem Dachboden.
The old wooden box is at the very back of the attic.
Correct preposition
Use 'auf den Dachboden' (to the attic) with the accusative for direction and 'auf dem Dachboden' (in the attic) with the dative for location.
EXAMPLE
Ich gehe auf den Dachboden, um die Weihnachtsdekoration zu holen.
I'm going up to the attic to get the Christmas decorations.
Typical verbs
Typical activities connected with an attic are 'aufräumen' (to tidy up), 'entrümpeln' (to clear out), or to 'lagern' (store) and 'verstauen' (put away) things there.
EXAMPLE
Am Wochenende wollen wir endlich den Dachboden entrümpeln.
At the weekend, we finally want to clear out the attic.
Compare with
Dachboden vs Boden
floor / ground
'der Boden' and 'der Dachboden' can mean the same thing: the room directly under the roof. 'Dachboden' is clear and easily understood everywhere. 'Boden' is shorter, but it can have many other meanings, for example floor or ground. That is why 'Boden' can easily be misunderstood without context. If you clearly mean the space under the roof, 'Dachboden' is more precise.
Dachboden
Auf dem Dachboden fanden die Kinder einen alten Koffer.
The children found an old suitcase in the attic.
Boden
Wir haben die alten Spielsachen auf den Boden gebracht.
We took the old toys up to the attic.
In real life
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