01
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
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 02
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
'Ebene' and 'Etage' can mean almost the same thing in a building: a particular level or floor. 'Etage' is very natural in everyday language for houses, offices, or apartments. 'Ebene' often sounds somewhat more technical in buildings, or fits well for parking garages, shopping centers, or maps/plans. In addition, 'Ebene' can also mean an abstract area, while 'Etage' in a figurative sense usually only occurs in fixed expressions like 'Chefetage' (top management). There is a risk of confusion because both can refer to a level in buildings.
Etage
Julian wohnt in der dritten Etage eines alten Hauses.
Julian lives on the third floor of an old house.
Ebene
Die Kasse befindet sich auf Ebene 2 des Parkhauses.
The checkout is located on level 2 of the parking garage.
In real life
Loading video examples...