stockwerk

Stockwerk is a German noun used to denote a level or story of a building. It corresponds to the English storey or floor and refers to a distinct horizontal division that is accessible by stairs or an elevator. Buildings with several levels are described as having multiple Stockwerke, for example das zweite Stockwerk or das fünfte Stockwerk.

Etymology and regional usage: The term combines Stock, meaning level or rung, with Werk, a root related to construction. In everyday language, Stockwerk is often interchangeable with Etage, though Etage is more common in some regions and in formal or Swiss usage. The choice between Stockwerk and Etage can vary by country and context, with Stockwerk frequently heard in Germany and Austria and Etage widely used in Switzerland and urban settings.

Usage in architecture and real estate: In practical texts and plans, stockwerke are numbered or labeled with qualifiers. The floor at ground level is called Erdgeschoss, and levels above are Obergeschoss or Hochgeschoss, depending on the region and the degree of elevation. Basements are Untergeschoss. In daylight and interior design, the planning of rooms, stairwells, and elevators centers on the arrangement of these levels, with typical floor plans showing the distribution across Stockwerke.

Translations and synonyms: In English-language real estate, the term storey is used. In German, closest equivalents include Stockwerk, Etage, and Geschoss, with subtle regional preferences in daily speech and formal documents.

Height and scope: The vertical spacing between Stockwerke varies by building type and local codes, but a typical floor height ranges roughly from 2.4 to 3.0 meters, including structural elements and floor coverings.