German Phrase
Das steht auf der Tafel.
Meaning
The sentence tells the listener that something – a word, a drawing, or any information – is displayed on the board. In a classroom or meeting room, it points out where the relevant content can be seen.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to draw attention to something written on a blackboard or whiteboard, e.g., during a lesson, a presentation, or when helping a colleague locate information.
✦Grammar Breakdown
DasstehtaufderTafel.
Demonstrative pronoun
"Das" refers to a neuter noun or a concept previously mentioned, acting as 'that' in English.
Verb "stehen" (3rd person singular)
"steht" is the present tense of "stehen" used here to mean 'is written/displayed'.
Preposition "auf" + dative
When indicating location on a surface, "auf" takes the dative case; thus "der Tafel".
Definite article "der" (dative, feminine)
"der" is the dative form of the feminine article, matching "Tafel".
Noun "Tafel" (feminine)
"Tafel" means 'board' (blackboard/whiteboard) and is feminine in German.
🗨In Conversation
Wo steht das?
Where is that?
Das steht auf der Tafel.
It's on the board.
✕Common Mistakes
Das steht auf die Tafel.
"auf" with a location on a surface requires the dative case, not accusative.
Das ist auf der Tafel.
Using "ist" changes the meaning; "steht" conveys that something is written or displayed.
Das steht auf der Tafel.
If you mistakenly use the nominative article, the sentence becomes ungrammatical.
↔Alternatives
Das ist an der Tafel.
That is on the board.
Das steht an der Tafel.
That is written on the board.
Das steht auf dem Whiteboard.
That is on the whiteboard.
Cultural Tip
In German schools the word "Tafel" traditionally refers to a blackboard, but many modern classrooms use whiteboards. Both are understood, though "Tafel" is still the standard term in formal education contexts. When speaking to younger children, you might hear "Schultafel" for extra clarity.