desk
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desk
A piece of furniture with a work surface and often drawers, used for writing, reading, or working at a computer.
Alle wichtigen Unterlagen liegen geordnet auf meinem Schreibtisch.
All the important documents are neatly arranged on my desk.
'Der Schreibtisch' (desk) is a compound noun made from the verb 'schreiben' (to write) and the noun 'der Tisch' (table). The 's' in between is a linking element that connects the two parts. Literally, it is therefore a 'writing table'.
Ich brauche einen neuen Stuhl für meinen Schreibtisch.
I need a new chair for my desk.
With 'Schreibtisch' (desk), the preposition 'an' is used. For position, you use the dative ('am Schreibtisch sitzen' — to sit at the desk); for direction, you use the accusative ('sich an den Schreibtisch setzen' — to sit down at the desk).
Er sitzt den ganzen Tag am Schreibtisch.
He sits at the desk all day.
The idiom 'am grünen Schreibtisch entscheiden' criticizes decisions that are made without practical knowledge or any connection to reality. The word 'grün' (green) is a fixed part of the expression here.
Die neuen Vorschriften wurden eindeutig am grünen Schreibtisch entwickelt.
The new regulations were clearly developed at the green desk.
Common verbs used with 'Schreibtisch' (desk) are 'am Schreibtisch arbeiten' (to work at the desk), 'am Schreibtisch sitzen' (to sit at the desk), and 'den Schreibtisch aufräumen' (to tidy up the desk).
Am Wochenende muss ich endlich mal meinen Schreibtisch aufräumen.
At the weekend, I really need to finally tidy up my desk.
table
'der Tisch' and 'der Schreibtisch' are both pieces of furniture with a flat top. 'Tisch' is the more general term: you can eat at it, work at it, or put things on it. 'Schreibtisch' is more specific and means a desk for writing, studying, or working, often with a computer or drawers. Learners may confuse the words because a desk is also a kind of table. If the purpose is not important, 'Tisch' often fits. If it is clearly about work, an office, or studying, 'Schreibtisch' sounds more natural.
Nach dem Gespräch hat Anna ihre Notizen auf den Schreibtisch gelegt.
After the conversation, Anna put her notes on the desk.
Auf dem Tisch stehen Teller, Gläser und eine große Schüssel Salat.
There are plates, glasses, and a large bowl of salad on the table.