A1 noun #3,082 am häufigsten 3 Min. Lesezeit

table

A table is a piece of furniture with a flat top and legs that you use for eating or working.

Practice it

Explanation at your level:

A table is furniture. It has a flat top. You eat on it. You can put your bag on it. It is very useful in your house.

You use a table to eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Many people sit around a table to talk. You can also work on a table with your computer.

In English, we use the word table for furniture, but also for data. You might see a table of numbers in a report. It is a very common word that everyone uses daily.

The word table is versatile. You can 'set the table' for guests or 'table a discussion' during a meeting. It is a fundamental noun in both domestic and professional settings.

Beyond its literal meaning, table functions in various figurative ways. In corporate environments, being 'at the table' implies influence. In statistics, a table is a structured arrangement of data. Understanding these nuances helps you communicate more effectively in complex scenarios.

Etymologically, table traces back to the Latin tabula. Its evolution reflects the human need for organized, flat surfaces for both physical labor and intellectual record-keeping. In literature, the table often serves as a metaphor for community, equality, or the 'round table' of diplomacy, highlighting its deep cultural significance.

Wort in 30 Sekunden

  • A table is a piece of furniture with a flat top.
  • It is used for eating, working, and holding items.
  • It can also be a verb meaning to propose or delay.
  • Commonly used in idioms like 'turn the tables'.

When you hear the word table, you probably picture the place where you eat dinner. It is one of the most essential pieces of furniture in any home. A table provides a stable, flat surface that makes daily life much easier.

Beyond just eating, we use tables for almost everything. You might have a desk table for your computer, a coffee table for your books, or a large dining table for family gatherings. It is truly the heart of the home.

The word table has a fascinating journey through history. It comes from the Latin word tabula, which originally meant a board, plank, or flat piece of wood. It is amazing how a simple word for a piece of wood became the name for the furniture we use every day!

In Old English, the word was tabele, borrowed from the Old French. Over centuries, it evolved into the modern English table. Interestingly, the Latin word tabula is also the root of the word tablet, showing how the concept of a 'flat surface' has been used for writing and information for thousands of years.

Using the word table is very straightforward. You can say you are 'setting the table' before a meal or 'clearing the table' after you finish. These are very common phrases you will hear in everyday English.

In a business context, you might hear someone say 'let's put this on the table,' which means to propose an idea for discussion. Whether you are talking about furniture or a data chart, the word table fits perfectly into both casual and formal conversations.

English is full of fun idioms involving the word table. For example, 'turn the tables' means to reverse a situation, like when a losing team suddenly starts winning. Another common one is 'under the table', which usually refers to something done secretly or illegally.

You might also hear 'table a motion' in formal meetings, which means to suggest something for discussion. If you are 'at the table', it means you are included in the decision-making process. These idioms show how the word has moved from just being a piece of furniture to a symbol of human interaction and power.

The word table is a regular countable noun, so its plural form is simply tables. When you use it in a sentence, you usually need an article like 'a' or 'the' (e.g., 'I bought a new table').

Pronunciation-wise, it is two syllables: tay-bull. The stress is on the first syllable. It rhymes with words like cable, stable, and label. Remember to keep the 'l' sound at the end soft and clear.

Fun Fact

The word originally referred to a flat slab of stone or wood used for writing.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈteɪ.bəl/

Clear T sound, followed by long A, finishing with a dark L.

US /ˈteɪ.bəl/

Similar to UK, but often with a flap T or slightly more nasal vowel.

Common Errors

  • Mispronouncing the 'le' ending as 'el'
  • Ignoring the long 'a' sound
  • Adding extra syllables

Rhymes With

cable stable label fable gable

Difficulty Rating

Lesen 1/5

Very easy

Writing 1/5

Very easy

Speaking 1/5

Very easy

Hören 1/5

Very easy

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

furniture eat leg flat

Learn Next

tablecloth tablespoon tablet

Fortgeschritten

tabular table a motion

Grammar to Know

Countable Nouns

One table, two tables.

Definite Articles

The table is clean.

Prepositions of Place

On the table.

Examples by Level

1

The food is on the table.

food / on / table

Preposition 'on' used for surfaces.

2

I have a big table.

I / have / big / table

Simple present tense.

3

Sit at the table.

Sit / at / table

Imperative verb.

4

The table is brown.

table / is / brown

Adjective describing the noun.

5

Put the book on the table.

Put / book / on / table

Imperative instruction.

6

We need a table for four.

need / table / for / four

Used in a restaurant context.

7

The table is clean.

table / is / clean

Simple description.

8

Is this your table?

Is / this / your / table

Question form.

1

Please set the table for dinner.

2

The kitchen table is made of wood.

3

Can you clear the table, please?

4

We bought a new dining table yesterday.

5

There is a lamp on the side table.

6

Let's meet at the table in the corner.

7

The table is too small for six people.

8

She left her keys on the table.

1

The report contains a useful table of data.

2

We gathered around the table to discuss the plan.

3

He put his cards on the table to show his hand.

4

The meeting was held at the conference table.

5

She cleared the table after the party.

6

There is a table showing the prices on page five.

7

We need to reserve a table for the wedding.

8

The table was covered with a white cloth.

1

They decided to table the motion until the next meeting.

2

The negotiation brought all parties to the table.

3

He turned the tables on his opponent.

4

The data is presented in a clear table format.

5

We need to put our cards on the table and be honest.

6

The restaurant has a table available at eight.

7

She sat at the table working on her laptop.

8

The debate was lively around the dinner table.

1

The proposal was tabled indefinitely due to lack of funding.

2

A seat at the table is essential for meaningful change.

3

The study provides a detailed table of contents.

4

He managed to turn the tables in the final round.

5

Let's bring these issues to the table for review.

6

The table illustrates the correlation between variables.

7

They sat at the table discussing the future of the company.

8

It is a seat at the table that matters most.

1

The diplomat succeeded in bringing the rivals to the table.

2

The table of figures confirms the downward trend.

3

She tabled an amendment to the original document.

4

The cultural significance of the table is profound.

5

He was not invited to the table for the final decision.

6

The data table is an essential component of the research.

7

They turned the tables through clever strategy.

8

The table represents a space for intellectual exchange.

Gegenteile

floor ground

Häufige Kollokationen

dining table
set the table
clear the table
coffee table
table a motion
round table
at the table
table leg
table cloth
data table

Idioms & Expressions

"turn the tables"

reverse a situation

He turned the tables on them.

neutral

"under the table"

secretly/illegally

They paid him under the table.

casual

"table a motion"

propose for discussion

She tabled the motion.

formal

"at the table"

involved in a decision

Everyone needs to be at the table.

neutral

"put cards on the table"

be honest

Let's put our cards on the table.

casual

"table talk"

casual conversation during meals

The table talk was lively.

neutral

Easily Confused

table vs desk

both are flat surfaces

desk has drawers for work

I work at a desk, eat at a table.

table vs counter

both are flat

counter is attached to a wall

The kitchen counter is long.

table vs board

historical connection

board is rarely used for furniture now

We used a wooden board.

table vs tablet

same root

tablet is a small electronic device

I read on my tablet.

Sentence Patterns

A1

Subject + set + the + table

He sets the table.

A2

Subject + put + object + on + the + table

I put the book on the table.

B2

Subject + table + the + motion

They tabled the motion.

A1

Subject + sit + at + the + table

We sat at the table.

A2

Subject + clear + the + table

She cleared the table.

Wortfamilie

Nouns

table furniture or data

Verbs

table to propose or delay

Adjectives

tabular arranged in a table

Verwandt

tablet flat surface

How to Use It

frequency

10

Formality Scale

table a motion (formal) dining table (neutral) coffee table (casual)

Häufige Fehler

tableing → tabling
Drop the 'e' before adding 'ing'.
tables of contents → table of contents
Usually singular even for multiple chapters.
on table → on the table
Needs an article.
table chair → dining chair
Table chair is not a standard term.
at table → at the table
Always use 'the' in this phrase.

Tips

💡

Memory Palace

Place a giant apple on your dining table in your mind.

💡

Native Speaker Tip

Use 'set the table' instead of 'prepare the table'.

🌍

Cultural Insight

The 'round table' symbolizes equality.

💡

Grammar Shortcut

Table is almost always used with an article.

💡

Say It Right

Don't stress the 'le' at the end.

💡

Don't Make This Mistake

Don't forget the 'the' before 'table'.

💡

Did You Know?

The word comes from Latin 'tabula'.

💡

Study Smart

Practice with different types of tables (dining, coffee, side).

💡

Word Family

Learn 'tablecloth' and 'tablespoon' together.

💡

Speak Natural

Use 'at the table' when talking about dining.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

T-A-B-L-E: The Area Built for Lunch and Eating.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant wooden table with legs that look like tree trunks.

Word Web

furniture food data meeting

Herausforderung

Describe your dining table in three sentences.

Wortherkunft

Latin

Original meaning: board or plank

Kultureller Kontext

None, universally understood.

The table is central to family life and business meetings.

The Round Table of King Arthur The Last Supper

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

at home

  • set the table
  • dinner table
  • kitchen table

at work

  • conference table
  • table a proposal
  • at the table

at a restaurant

  • reserve a table
  • table for two
  • waiter at the table

data analysis

  • data table
  • table of contents
  • view the table

Conversation Starters

"What does your dining table look like?"

"Do you prefer a round or square table?"

"How often do you set the table for your family?"

"Have you ever had to table a discussion?"

"What is the most important table in your house?"

Journal Prompts

Describe the table you ate your favorite meal at.

If your dining table could talk, what would it say?

Write about a time you had an important conversation at a table.

Why is the table a symbol of community?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

8 Fragen

Yes, a desk is a specific type of table.

Yes, it is the present participle of the verb.

Tables.

Use table for eating, desk for working.

It means to propose it for discussion.

TAY-bull.

Yes, especially in formal meetings.

Yes.

Teste dich selbst

fill blank A1

Put the plate on the ___.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: table

Tables are for plates.

multiple choice A2

What do you do with a table?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Eat on it

Tables are surfaces for eating/working.

true false B1

A table is a type of animal.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Falsch

A table is furniture.

match pairs B1

Word

Bedeutung

All matched!

Common meal phrases.

sentence order B2

Tippe auf die Wörter unten, um den Satz zu bilden
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:

Correct prepositional phrase order.

Ergebnis: /5

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