01
der Teppich
carpet
A thick, woven or knotted floor covering used for decoration or insulation.
example
Im Wohnzimmer liegt ein schöner persischer Teppich.
There is a beautiful Persian carpet in the living room.
der Teppich
carpet
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Typical verbs
Certain actions are associated with a carpet. Typical verbs are 'einen Teppich legen' (to lay/install a carpet), 'einen Teppich ausrollen' (to unroll a carpet), or 'einen Teppich reinigen' (to clean a carpet).
EXAMPLE
Die Handwerker haben im ganzen Haus neuen Teppich gelegt.
The workers laid new carpet throughout the whole house.
Important collocation
A very well-known combination is 'der rote Teppich' (the red carpet). It is rolled out for famous people on special occasions and symbolizes a glamorous welcome.
EXAMPLE
Die Filmstars liefen bei der Premiere über den roten Teppich.
The film stars walked down the red carpet at the premiere.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'etwas unter den Teppich kehren' means to ignore or hide a problem. The thing being hidden appears as the accusative object in the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Der Manager versuchte, die Fehler seiner Abteilung unter den Teppich zu kehren.
The manager tried to sweep his department's mistakes under the carpet.
Fixed expression
'Auf dem Teppich bleiben' is an appeal to be realistic and modest. The expression is often used as a command in the imperative: 'Bleib auf dem Teppich!' (Stay grounded! / Be realistic!)
EXAMPLE
Auch nach seinem Lottogewinn ist er immer auf dem Teppich geblieben.
Even after winning the lottery, he always stayed grounded.
Compare with
Teppich vs Läufer
runner / runner rug / bishop
'Teppich' and 'Läufer' can both mean a floor covering. A 'Teppich' is usually wider and is found, for example, in the living room, under a table, or in a room for decoration and warmth. A 'Läufer', on the other hand, is a long, narrow carpet that fits especially well in a hallway or on stairs. Learners may confuse the words because a 'Läufer' is also a type of 'Teppich'. If the shape is important, this rule helps: wide and general is more likely 'Teppich'; long and narrow is more likely 'Läufer'.
Teppich
Unter dem Esstisch liegt ein weicher Teppich.
There is a soft carpet under the dining table.
Läufer
Im langen Flur haben wir einen roten Läufer gelegt.
We put a red runner rug in the long hallway.
In real life
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