A printed or embossed strip of paper or nonwoven material that is glued to the wall for the decorative design of interior walls in rooms.
example
Wir haben für das Wohnzimmer eine neue Tapete mit einem dezenten Muster ausgesucht.
We picked out new wallpaper with a subtle pattern for the living room.
Usage tips
Fixed expression
The idiom 'einen Tapetenwechsel brauchen' means that you need a change of scenery or a break from everyday life. The word 'Tapete' (wallpaper) here symbolically stands for familiar surroundings.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem stressigen Projekt brauche ich dringend einen Tapetenwechsel.
After the stressful project, I urgently need a change of scenery.
Typical verbs
There are typical activities related to wallpaper. Putting it up is called 'tapezieren' (to wallpaper) or 'eine Tapete kleben' (to hang/glue wallpaper). The opposite is 'eine Tapete entfernen' (to remove wallpaper) or 'abreißen' (to tear off).
EXAMPLE
Das Tapezieren des Flurs hat das ganze Wochenende gedauert.
Wallpapering the hallway took the whole weekend.
Preposition and case
Pay attention to the case after the preposition 'an'. If you are putting up wallpaper (movement), you say 'an die Wand' (onto the wall, accusative). If the wallpaper is already there (position), you say 'an der Wand' (on the wall, dative).
EXAMPLE
Er klebt die neue Fototapete an die Wand.
He is sticking the new photo wallpaper onto the wall.