die Etage
floor
A floor or level in a building.
EXAMPLE
Das Büro befindet sich in der fünften Etage.
The office is located on the fifth floor.
die Etage
floor
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Meanings
die Etage
level
In a figurative sense, a level in a hierarchy, especially the management level of a company ('Chefetage').
EXAMPLE
Diese Entscheidung wurde in der obersten Etage getroffen.
This decision was made at the highest level.
Usage tips
Correct preposition
To indicate location, you use 'in der Etage' (on the floor; dative). If you are describing movement toward it, it is 'in die Etage' (to the floor; accusative).
EXAMPLE
Wir wohnen in der dritten Etage.
We live on the third floor.
Context clue
You can usually recognize the figurative meaning of a hierarchy level from adjectives like 'oberste' (highest) or 'hohe' (high), or from the fixed combination 'Chefetage' (executive floor / top management).
EXAMPLE
Diese Entscheidung kommt direkt von der obersten Etage.
This decision comes directly from the highest level.
Typical collocations
In a management context, the words 'Chefetage' (executive floor / top management) and 'Führungsetage' (management level) are very common for referring to the highest leadership level of a company.
EXAMPLE
Die Pläne wurden der Führungsetage bereits vorgestellt.
The plans have already been presented to the management level.
Compare with
Etage vs Ebene
plain / level
Both words can refer to an accessible height or area in a building. Etage usually means a complete floor, while Ebene can also refer to an intermediate level, a parking level, or a platform level. Use Etage for a floor and Ebene for a broader height range.
Etage
Unsere Wohnung liegt in der dritten Etage.
Our apartment is on the third floor.
Ebene
Der Aufzug hält auch auf der unterirdischen Parkebene.
The elevator also stops at the underground parking level.
In real life
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