Fach

Fach is a German noun with several related senses tied to the idea of a defined area or role. In education, das Fach means a subject or field of study, such as Mathematik or Deutsch. The plural Fächer refers to multiple subjects. In daily use, Fach appears in compounds like Fachliteratur (specialist literature) and Fachwissen (specialized knowledge), and it is commonly contrasted with more general terms such as Allgemeinbildung.

In a furniture or storage context, ein Fach is a compartment or section inside a cabinet, drawer, or shelf. For example, man might speak of einem Aktenfach or einem Fach im Regal, referring to a designated space for documents or items.

In music and performing arts, Fach denotes a voice category or repertoire group assigned to a singer. In opera houses, singers are cast according to their Fach, which reflects vocal range, timbre, and typical roles, and helps guide training and casting decisions.

The term also appears in broader compounds such as Fachgebiet (discipline or field of study) and Fachsprache (specialized language used within a profession). Overall, Fach denotes a defined area, whether a subject, a physical compartment, or a category of performance, depending on context.