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German Phrase

Ist dieser Tisch sauber?

/ɪst ˈdiːzɐ tɪʃ ˈzaʊ̯bɐ/
Meaning"Is this table clean?"
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Meaning

The sentence asks whether the specific table being pointed at or referred to is clean. It is a straightforward yes/no question that checks the state of the table’s surface.

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When to use

Use this phrase when you want to confirm the cleanliness of a table before setting down food, drinks, or work materials – for example in a restaurant, at a café, in a shared office, or at home when tidying up.

✦Grammar Breakdown

IstdieserTischsauber?

1

Verb 'sein' (ist)

The verb 'sein' is used as a copula to link the subject with a predicate adjective; in the present tense, third‑person singular form is 'ist'.

2

Demonstrative pronoun 'dieser'

'dieser' is the masculine nominative singular form, matching the gender and case of 'Tisch'.

3

Noun gender & case

'Tisch' is a masculine noun; in a subject position it appears in the nominative case.

4

Predicative adjective 'sauber'

When used after 'sein', adjectives stay in their base form without endings.

5

Question word order

In yes/no questions, the finite verb moves to the first position, followed by the subject.

🗨In Conversation

A

Ist dieser Tisch sauber?

Is this table clean?

Ja, er ist sauber. Du kannst dich setzen.

Yes, it is clean. You can sit down.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Ist dieses Tisch sauber?

    ‘dieses’ is neuter; ‘Tisch’ is masculine, so the correct form is ‘dieser’.

  • Sind dieser Tisch sauber?

    The verb must agree with the singular subject ‘Tisch’; use ‘ist’, not ‘sind’.

  • Ist dieser Tisch saubere?

    After ‘sein’, the adjective stays in its base form; do not add the -e ending.

↔Alternatives

  • Ist der Tisch sauber?

    Is the table clean?

  • Sieht dieser Tisch sauber aus?

    Does this table look clean?

  • Ist dieser Tisch ordentlich?

    Is this table tidy?

de

Cultural Tip

In German‑speaking countries cleanliness in public places is taken seriously. When you ask about a table, it’s polite to add a ‘Bitte’ or a friendly tone. Remember that ‘Tisch’ is masculine, so the demonstrative pronoun must be ‘dieser’, not ‘diese’ or ‘dieses’. Also, the adjective stays uninflected after ‘sein’, unlike attributive use (e.g., ‘ein sauberer Tisch’).