roofer / stud male / jack
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roofer
A tradesperson whose job is to cover and repair the roofs of buildings. The term is usually used as a short form of Dachdecker.
Der Decker repariert das Loch im Dach, das der Sturm verursacht hat.
The roofer is repairing the hole in the roof that the storm caused.
The noun 'der Decker' is derived directly from the verb 'decken' (to cover). A 'Decker' is therefore someone or something that has a 'covering' function: he covers a roof, mates with a female animal in breeding, or covers another playing card.
Der Handwerker ist spezialisiert darauf, Schieferdächer zu decken.
The tradesperson specializes in covering slate roofs.
The three meanings of 'Decker' are very different and are made clear by context. Pay attention to whether it is about buildings (tradesperson), animal breeding (male animal), or card games (playing card).
Der Sturm hat Ziegel vom Dach geweht, wir brauchen einen Decker.
The storm blew tiles off the roof; we need a roofer.
In the meaning of the tradesperson, 'Decker' is a colloquial short form. The official and standard job title is 'Dachdecker' (roofer).
Ruf mal den Decker an, das Dach ist undicht.
Call the roofer; the roof is leaking.
As a term for a breeding animal, 'Decker' is mainly used in the technical language of farmers and breeders. In general usage, the term is rare.
Für die Zucht wird nur der beste Hengst als Decker eingesetzt.
Only the best stallion is used as a stud male for breeding.
The term 'Decker' for the playing card jack is common only in certain German card games such as Skat and in some regions. It is a specific term from the world of card games.
Beim Skat sind die vier Decker die höchsten Trümpfe.
In Skat, the four jacks are the highest trumps.
farmer / pawn
'Bauer' and 'Decker' can refer to the same playing card in certain German card games. In that case, both words are regional names for the 'Bube' (jack). 'Decker' is very specialized and is not understood everywhere. 'Bauer' can easily be confusing because in normal German it usually means a farmer. But when it is about Skat or another card game, 'Bauer' can be a card. 'Decker' only fits in this specific card-game context.
Mein Großvater nennt beim Skat den Buben noch Decker.
When playing Skat, my grandfather still calls the jack Decker.
In unserer Skatrunde heißt der Kreuz-Bube meistens Kreuz-Bauer.
In our Skat group, the jack of clubs is usually called Kreuz-Bauer.