sheet
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sheet
A large piece of cloth that is part of bed linen and is stretched over a mattress (fitted sheet) or serves as a light cover (bed sheet).
Ich muss noch die frischen Laken auf die Betten ziehen.
I still need to put the fresh sheets on the beds.
In connection with beds, the verbs 'aufziehen' (to put on/stretch over) or 'beziehen' (to make/cover, as a bed) are often used. You put a sheet on the mattress or make the bed with a fresh sheet.
Kannst du mir helfen, das Laken auf die Matratze zu ziehen?
Can you help me put the sheet on the mattress?
A very common form of 'Laken' (sheet) is 'das Spannlaken' (fitted sheet). This is a sheet with an elastic band that is stretched tightly around the mattress and does not slip.
Ich habe neue Spannlaken für unser Bett gekauft.
I bought new fitted sheets for our bed.
When 'Laken' (sheet) is not used in a bedroom context, it is usually about protection. Typical situations are renovations or moves, where furniture or floors are covered with a sheet.
Bevor wir die Decke strichen, haben wir die Möbel mit alten Laken abgedeckt.
Before we painted the ceiling, we covered the furniture with old sheets.
blanket / ceiling
'die Decke' and 'das Laken' are both often part of a bed, but they have different functions. You cover yourself with a 'Decke' to stay warm. A 'Laken' normally lies on the mattress or is stretched over it; you sleep on it. Sometimes a 'Laken' can also serve as a very light cover, for example in summer. That is why the words can be confused. In most everyday situations, the rule is: the thing on top that keeps you warm is the 'Decke', and the thing directly on the mattress is the 'Laken'.
Vor der Reise hat Maria ein frisches Laken auf die Matratze gespannt.
Before the trip, Maria put a fresh sheet on the mattress.
In der Nacht war es kalt, deshalb zog Max die Decke bis zum Kinn.
It was cold during the night, so Max pulled the blanket up to his chin.