German Phrase
Polster die Sachen rundherum.
Meaning
A direct command telling someone to pad or upholster the items all around them, i.e., to add cushioning on every side of the objects.
When to use
Use this phrase when giving practical instructions in a workshop, moving house, or interior‑design setting, where you want the listener to protect objects by adding padding from all directions.
✦Grammar Breakdown
PolsterdieSachenrundherum.
Imperative (du) of polstern
‘Polster’ is the informal du‑imperative of the verb ‘polstern’ (to pad, to upholster). The formal du‑imperative would be ‘Polstere’.
Accusative plural ‘die Sachen’
‘die Sachen’ is the accusative plural of ‘die Sache’ (thing, item). The article stays ‘die’ in both nominative and accusative plural.
Adverb ‘rundherum’
‘rundherum’ means ‘all around, on all sides’. It modifies the verb and tells how the padding should be applied.
Verb‑noun homonymy
‘Polster’ can also be a noun meaning ‘cushion’. Context decides whether it’s a verb (imperative) or a noun.
🗨In Conversation
Wir müssen die Stühle sicher transportieren.
We have to transport the chairs safely.
Polster die Sachen rundherum.
Pad the items all around.
✕Common Mistakes
Polster die Sachen rundherum.
Here it must be the verb (imperative). Using ‘Polster’ as a noun would be wrong in this command.
Polster die Sache rundherum.
‘Sache’ is singular; the verb expects a plural object, so you need ‘die Sachen’.
Polster die Sachen umher.
‘Umher’ means ‘around (moving)’, not ‘all around’ in the sense of surrounding.
↔Alternatives
Polstere die Gegenstände überall.
Upholster the objects everywhere.
Upholster die Dinge von allen Seiten.
Upholster the things from all sides.
Polster die Sachen von allen Seiten.
Pad the items on all sides.
Cultural Tip
In everyday German the short imperative ‘Polster’ is common among friends or colleagues; in a more formal context you’d say ‘Polstere …’. The adverb ‘rundherum’ is colloquial – in written instructions you might prefer ‘von allen Seiten’ for a slightly more formal tone.