das Fensterbrett
windowsill
A horizontal surface along the bottom edge of a window, where you can place plants or other objects, for example.
EXAMPLE
Auf dem Fensterbrett stehen mehrere Blumentöpfe.
There are several flowerpots on the windowsill.
das Fensterbrett
windowsill
das Fensterbrett, die Fensterbretter
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Fensterbrett, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Fensterbretter |
| genitive | des Fensterbrettes |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Fensterbrett | die Fensterbretter |
| accusative | das Fensterbrett | die Fensterbretter |
| dative | dem Fensterbrett | den Fensterbrettern |
| genitive | des Fensterbrettes des Fensterbretts | der Fensterbretter |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Fensterbrett' is made up of 'Fenster' (window) and 'Brett' (board). So it means a board at a window.
EXAMPLE
Das schmale Fensterbrett ist voller kleiner Pflanzen.
The narrow windowsill is full of small plants.
The preposition 'auf'
For objects that are on or are placed on this horizontal surface, German typically uses 'auf dem Fensterbrett' (on the windowsill) or 'auf das Fensterbrett' (onto the windowsill).
EXAMPLE
Meine Katze sitzt gern auf dem Fensterbrett.
My cat likes sitting on the windowsill.
Sie stellte die Vase auf das Fensterbrett.
She put the vase on the windowsill.
Typical collocations
Common phrases include 'auf dem Fensterbrett stehen' (to stand on the windowsill), 'auf dem Fensterbrett liegen' (to lie on the windowsill), and 'etwas auf das Fensterbrett stellen' (to put something on the windowsill). Plants, flowerpots, or decorations are especially often mentioned.
EXAMPLE
Auf dem Fensterbrett lag noch die Zeitung von gestern.
Yesterday's newspaper was still lying on the windowsill.
Er stellte eine kleine Lampe auf das Fensterbrett.
He put a small lamp on the windowsill.
In real life
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