Bed in German – German Vocabulary 101

We spend almost a third of our live in bed. So the bed is one of the most important pieces of furniture and you should choose one that’s both robust and comfortable. So let’s take a look at the German word for bed and other items in the bedroom.

Different Kinds of Bed in German

The German word for bed is “das Bett” (Plural: die Betten).

English Expressions	German Translations	Gender
bed	das Bett	neuter
box-spring	das Boxspringbett	neuter
double bed	das Doppelbett	neuter
foldaway bed	das Klappbett	neuter
four-poster bed	das Himmelbett	neuter
futon	der Futon	masculine
hospital bed	das Krankenhausbett	neuter

Example Sentences

Ich habe nur Platz für ein Klappbett in meiner Einzimmer-Wohnung. — I only have room for a folding bed in my studio apartment.

Als kleines Mädchen habe ich mir immer ein Himmelbett gewünscht. — When I was a little girl, I always wished for a four-poster bed.

Bed related Items in German

A bed frame alone wouldn’t be very comfortable. It’s all the soft things on it which make staying in bed so irresistible.

English Expressions	German Translations	Gender
bed curtain	der Bettvorhang	masculine
bed linen	die Bettwäsche	feminine
bed sheet	das Bettlaken	neuter
bedpost	der Bettpfosten	masculine
bedspread	die Tagesdecke	feminine
bedspread	der Bettüberwurf	masculine
blanket	die Decke	feminine
comforter (American English)	die Bettdecke	feminine
comforter cover (American English)	der Bettbezug	masculine
duvet	die Bettdecke	feminine
headboard	das Kopfteil	neuter
mattress	die Matratze	feminine
mattress protector	der Matratzenschoner	masculine
mattress topper	die Matratzenauflage	feminine
overbed	das Überbett	neuter
pillow	das Kopfkissen	neuter
side sleeper pillow	das Seitenschläferkissen	neuter
slatted frame	der Lattenrost	masculine

Example Sentences

Ich brauche eine wärmere Bettdecke für den Winter. — I need a warmer blanket for the winter.

Meine neue Matratze ist mir zu hart. — My new mattress is too hard for me.

Types of Mattresses in German

How you lie on a bed not only depends on the soft pillows and duvets, but very much also on the kind of mattress you use. Some people like them soft, while others prefer a harder mattress. And then there’s different kinds of mattress.

English Expressions	German Translations	Gender
foam mattress	die Schaumstoffmatratze	feminine
futon	der Futon	masculine
latex mattress	die Latexmatratze	feminine
memory foam mattress	die Memoryschaum-Matratze	feminine
spring mattress	die Federkernmatratze	feminine

Example Sentences

Seit ich eine Memoryschaum-Matratze habe, schlafe ich wie auf Wolken! — Since I got a memory foam mattress, I sleep like on clouds!

Cover Fabric in German

Let us look at the textiles that can be used for linen in German.

English Expressions	German Words	Gender
bamboo	der Bambus	masculine
cotton	die Baumwolle	feminine
flannel	der Flanell	masculine
jersey	der Jersey	masculine
linen	das Leinen	neuter
maco satin	der Makosatin	masculine
microfiber	die Mikrofaser	feminine
new wool	die Schurwolle	feminine
satin	der Satin	masculine
seersucker	der Seersucker	masculine
silk	die Seide	feminine
synthetic fiber	die Kunstfaser	feminine

Example Sentences

Ich bin allergisch gegen Schurwolle. — I am allergic to new wool.

Am liebsten schlafe ich in Leinen-Bettwäsche. — I prefer to sleep in linen bedding.

Pillow Filling Material in German

English Expressions	German Words	Gender
feathers	die Federn	feminine
down	die Daunen	feminine
memory foam	der Memoryschaum	masculine
polyester	das Polyester	neuter
goose down	die Gänsedaunen	feminine
duck down	die Entendaunen	feminine

Example Sentences

Ich mag Daunen in meinen Kissen, aber manche Menschen sind allergisch und bevorzugen Polyester. — I like down in my pillows, but some people are allergic and prefer polyester.

Conclusion

You just learned the translation of bed in German and a whole lot more. So, how about a little nap?