Decke

Decke is a German noun with two principal meanings. In architecture and everyday language, the most common sense is the ceiling: the overhead interior surface of a room or building. A Decke can be plastered, paneled, or constructed as a suspended or false ceiling, and it may influence room height, acoustics, and lighting. Materials include plaster, wood, metal, or drywall, and decorative ceilings may feature molding, stucco, or exposed beams. In construction, terms such as Unterdecke or abgehängte Decke refer to a false ceiling that hides utilities and allows access to services.

The second main sense is a blanket or cover used to warm or protect someone or something. A Decke for bedding is typically made from wool, cotton, or synthetic fibers, and it varies from heavy to lightweight; bedspreads or throws are often described as Decken in German. The plural Decken can refer to multiple ceilings or blankets depending on context. In everyday language, adjectives clarify the sense, for example die Decke des Zimmers (the ceiling of the room) versus eine warme Decke (a warm blanket).

Etymology: Decke derives from a Germanic root related to covering or top; the word has been attested in German since the Middle Ages and remains common in modern usage.

See also: Ceiling, Blanket, Bedding.