Schach
/ʃax/neuter
Chess in German is Schach. Wiktionary also lists Schachspiel.
Meaning: two-player board game (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Schach | /ʃax/ | neuter |
| Schachspiel | /ˈʃaxˌʃpiːl/ | neuter |
The word refers to the two-player board game. To express the action of playing chess, you use the verb spielen with Schach, as in Schach spielen.
What does it mean word for word?
The term Schach literally means check in the context of a chess game.
Which one should you use?
While Schach is the most common and straightforward term for the game, Schachspiel is a more formal or descriptive way to say game of chess.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʃax/
Did you know?
- The term Schachmatt, meaning 'checkmate', contains the word matt, which in modern German also means 'dull' or 'matte' in terms of color.
- The word Schach likely entered the German language during the Crusades, possibly borrowed directly from Arabic.
- German chess literature often refers to Schachprobleme, which are specific puzzles that must be solved in a set number of moves.
Examples in context
- Tom mag kein Schach.Tom doesn't like chess.This sentence shows how to express that someone does not like Schach.Tatoeba #2108726 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2097678 by CK
- Ich spiele auch Schach.I play chess, too.This sentence shows how to say that you also play Schach.Tatoeba #8060304 by Luiaard, translation #5902895 by CK
- Spielst du noch Schach?Do you still play chess?This sentence is useful for asking if someone still plays Schach.Tatoeba #8483462 by Luiaard, translation #6355986 by CK
- Ich spiele gerne Schach.I enjoy playing chess
- Hast du Lust auf ein Schachspiel?Do you feel like playing a game of chess?
- Wir spielen Schach auf dem Schachbrett.We are playing chess on the chessboard.
- 390 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maximilian and Julia are at a cafe discussing their hobbies.
- MaximilianSpielst du gerne Schach, Julia?Do you like playing chess, Julia?
- JuliaJa, Schach ist sehr interessant.Yes, chess is very interesting.
- MaximilianIch möchte auch mal Schach lernen.I would also like to learn chess sometime.
- JuliaDas können wir gerne zusammen machen.We can gladly do that together.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chess” translations and entries Schach, Schachspiel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Schach, Schachspiel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
