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Schreibtisch

desk

noun SHRYP-tish Rare

Origin: literally writing-table

Also means

writing table

Usage Note

Schreibtisch is the office desk, combining schreiben (to write) and Tisch (table). The figurative Schreibtischtäter denotes a desk-bound perpetrator who orders wrongs without acting directly. Plural takes an umlaut: Schreibtische. Distinct from the kitchen or dining Tisch.

Examples

"Auf seinem Schreibtisch türmten sich die Akten."

Natural Translation

Files were piling up on his desk.

Literal Translation

On his desk piled themselves the files.

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