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
das Pad
pad
A small, flat, often soft surface or cushion for various purposes, e.g. as a surface for a computer mouse (mouse pad) or for applying cosmetics (cotton pad).
EXAMPLE
Meine alte Maus funktioniert auf diesem neuen Pad viel besser.
My old mouse works much better on this new pad.
das Pad
notepad
A small block of sheets of paper glued together along one edge; a notepad.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe mir die Telefonnummer schnell auf ein Pad geschrieben.
I quickly wrote the phone number down on a notepad.
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
Unterlage is the general term for something placed under an object to protect or stabilize it. Pad usually refers to a small, flat object specially designed for a particular purpose.
Pad
Sie stellt den Laptop zur Kühlung auf ein dafür vorgesehenes Pad.
She places the laptop on a pad designed for cooling it.
Unterlage
Sie stellt den Laptop zum Schutz des Tisches auf eine feste Unterlage.
She places the laptop on a sturdy mat to protect the table.
In real life
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