01
den Tisch decken
to set the table
To arrange dishes, cutlery, and glasses on a table for a meal.
example
Könntest du bitte schon mal den Tisch für das Abendessen decken?
Could you please go ahead and set the table for dinner?
decken
to cover / to set
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'decken' (to cover / to set) is closely related to the noun 'die Decke' (blanket, ceiling). The basic idea of the verb is almost always to cover something or cover something up.
EXAMPLE
Eine Schneeschicht deckte die ganze Landschaft.
A layer of snow covered the whole landscape.
Context clue
The many meanings of 'decken' (to cover / to set) become clear from the object. You set 'den Tisch' (the table, for a meal), cover 'die Kosten' (the costs, finances), roof 'das Dach' (the roof, house construction), or mark 'den Gegner' (the opponent, sports).
EXAMPLE
Die Versicherung wird den Schaden nicht vollständig decken.
The insurance will not fully cover the damage.
Fixed expression
The phrase 'den Tisch decken' (to set the table) is a fixed expression. It always means preparing the table for a meal.
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder helfen am Wochenende dabei, den Tisch zu decken.
The children help set the table on weekends.
Use with preposition
When you cover a person or thing with something, the preposition 'mit' (with) and the dative are often used. The construction is: jemanden/etwas mit etwas decken (to cover someone/something with something).
EXAMPLE
Die Mutter deckte ihr Kind mit einer zusätzlichen Wolldecke.
The mother covered her child with an extra wool blanket.
Typical collocations
In the financial meaning, 'decken' (to cover) is typically used with objects such as 'die Kosten' (the costs), 'die Ausgaben' (the expenses), 'den Bedarf' (the need), or 'ein Defizit' (a deficit).
EXAMPLE
Mit seinem Gehalt kann er kaum seine monatlichen Ausgaben decken.
With his salary, he can barely cover his monthly expenses.
Reflexive with preposition
In the meaning 'übereinstimmen' (to correspond / agree), the verb is always reflexive and is used with the fixed preposition 'mit' (with) and the dative: 'sich mit etwas decken' (to correspond to something).
EXAMPLE
Meine Beobachtungen decken sich nicht mit seinen Erzählungen.
My observations do not correspond to his accounts.
Register: technical language
The meaning 'begatten' (to mate) is used exclusively in the technical language of animal breeding. This meaning does not occur in normal everyday usage.
EXAMPLE
Der Hengst hat in dieser Saison bereits mehrere Stuten gedeckt.
The stallion has already covered several mares this season.
Compare with
decken vs entsprechen
to correspond / to meet
'entsprechen' and 'sich decken mit' can both mean that two things correspond or match. 'Entsprechen' is often used when something fits a rule, expectation, requirement, or description. It can also mean that a request or wish is fulfilled. 'Sich decken mit' is used more when two statements, pieces of information, or results are the same or fit together. The words can be confusing because both express agreement or correspondence. In practice: with requirements, you usually say 'entsprechen'. With statements or results, you often say 'sich decken mit'.
decken
Die Aussage des Kunden deckt sich mit den Notizen der Kollegin.
The customer's statement matches the colleague's notes.
entsprechen
Die Bewerbung entspricht leider nicht allen Anforderungen der Firma.
Unfortunately, the application does not meet all of the company's requirements.
In real life
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