Breakdown of Ist der Tisch für das Abendessen gedeckt?
sein
to be
der Tisch
the table
für
for
das Abendessen
the dinner
Questions & Answers about Ist der Tisch für das Abendessen gedeckt?
Why does this sentence use 'ist' with the past participle 'gedeckt' instead of 'wird'?
This is the stative passive (Zustandspassiv). While wird gedeckt (dynamic passive) would mean the table is currently being set by someone, ist gedeckt describes a completed state. You are asking about the current condition of the table: is the job already finished?
How would you ask 'Is the table being set for dinner?' to focus on the action happening right now?
You would use the standard dynamic passive (Vorgangspassiv) with the helper verb werden: Wird der Tisch für das Abendessen gedeckt? This asks if the action of setting the table is actively taking place at this very moment.
Doesn't the verb 'decken' normally mean 'to cover'?
Yes, its literal meaning is 'to cover' (like a blanket covering a bed). However, den Tisch decken is the standard German phrase for 'to set the table'. You are essentially asking if the table is 'covered' with plates and silverware.
Why is it 'für das Abendessen' instead of using the dative case?
The preposition für is a strict accusative preposition. It always forces the noun that follows it into the accusative case, no matter the context. Since Abendessen is a neuter noun, the accusative article remains das.