01
das Pad
tablet
Colloquial short form for a tablet computer.
example
Er liest seine E-Mails morgens immer auf dem Pad.
He always reads his emails on the tablet in the morning.
das Pad
pad / tablet
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Meanings
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Usage tips
English loanword
'Pad' is a word from English and is pronounced similarly. It has taken on several meanings in German.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du mir mal das Pad geben? Ich möchte etwas nachschauen.
Can you give me the tablet for a second? I want to look something up.
False friend
In English, 'pad' can also colloquially mean an apartment ('my pad'). The word does not have this meaning in German.
EXAMPLE
Er hat sich für seine Notizen ein neues Pad gekauft.
He bought himself a new notepad for his notes.
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning of 'Pad' from context. If it is about technology and screens, a tablet is meant. If it is about cosmetics or computer accessories, a pad or surface is meant. If it is about writing, a notepad is meant.
EXAMPLE
Sie surft am liebsten mit ihrem Pad auf dem Sofa.
She prefers browsing the internet on her tablet on the sofa.
Register
Using 'Pad' for a tablet computer is mainly colloquial. In more formal contexts or in advertising, 'Tablet' or 'Tablet-Computer' is usually used.
EXAMPLE
Ich schaue mir abends im Bett gerne Serien auf dem Pad an.
I like watching series on the tablet in bed in the evening.
Common in compounds
In the meaning of 'Unterlage' (surface/pad), 'Pad' is often the second part of a compound word. Examples are 'Mousepad' (mouse pad), 'Wattepad' (cotton pad), or 'Stempelpad' (ink pad).
EXAMPLE
Zum Entfernen von Make-up benutzt sie immer Wattepads.
She always uses cotton pads to remove makeup.
Compare with
Pad vs Unterlage
documents / mat
'die Unterlage' and 'das Pad' can both mean a flat object that lies under something or is used for something. 'Unterlage' is the more general German word and works for many materials and purposes, for example to protect a table or as a stable surface. 'Pad' is usually smaller and often softer; it is often used in fixed expressions like 'Mousepad' (mouse pad) or 'Wattepad' (cotton pad). Learners may confuse the words because a 'Pad' is often also a kind of 'Unterlage'. When speaking generally about something that lies under something else, 'Unterlage' is more natural. For small, specific products, 'Pad' sounds more normal.
Pad
Für die Computermaus kauft Lena ein neues Pad.
Lena buys a new pad for the computer mouse.
Unterlage
Vor dem Basteln legt Tom eine Unterlage auf den Küchentisch.
Before doing crafts, Tom puts a mat on the kitchen table.
In real life
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