German word

Schublade

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʃuːpˌlaːdə/

Meaning

  • feminine noundrawer

Example

Der Schreibtisch hat drei Schubladen.

The desk has three drawers.

Illustration for Schublade (drawer)

More examples

Seine Idee wurde in die Schublade gesteckt und lange nicht mehr diskutiert.

His idea was put in the drawer and was not discussed again for a long time.

Core concept

A box-like section moves in and out of a desk or cabinet, while its figurative use places people or ideas into rigid categories.

Common phrases

  • etwas in die Schublade stecken

    put something in the drawer

  • etwas aus der Schublade hervorholen

    take something out of the drawer

  • verschlossene Schublade

    locked drawer

Similar words

Schrank: A large storage unit with doors for keeping clothes or other items.
Kommode: A low storage unit fitted with several drawers.
Fach: A small divided storage space inside a shelf, drawer, or cabinet.
Kasten: A box-shaped container or storage unit used to hold or transport things.

Definition in German

Ein herausziehbares Einschubfach in Schränken oder Tischen, das zum Verstauen von Kleinigkeiten dient.

Word origin

The compound Schublade joins Schub, a push or thrust related to schieben, and Lade, an older word for a container.

Usage tips

  • In der Schublade liegen can describe something kept unpublished or unused, not only an object stored in a drawer.

Related words

  • Schubladensystemdrawer systemnoun
  • schubladenförmigdrawer-shapedadjective

Word lists with this word