Spiel
/ʃpiːl/
The German word for game is Spiel.
Spiel refers to an activity governed by a set of rules for entertainment. This includes both board games and sports matches, such as a football game.
Meaning: activity described by a set of rules, especially for the purpose of entertainment (noun)
Which one should you use?
While Spiel is the general term, you can use Partie to refer specifically to a match or a bout and Spielchen to describe small games or playful activities.
How does it change in a sentence?
Spiel is a neuter noun and is used with the definite article das. The plural form is Spiele. To say "of the game", use the genitive singular form des Spiels. When using the dative case with the neuter article, ein becomes einem, resulting in einem Spiel.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʃpiːl/
Did you know?
- The word Spiel shares an ancient ancestor with the word 'dance'. In its earliest Proto-West Germanic form, it meant a rhythmic or moving performance.
- When talking about mechanical parts, Spiel refers to the 'play' or clearance between two components to prevent jamming.
- German uses the word Spielraum to describe the 'room for maneuver' or 'latitude' one has in a negotiation, literally translating to 'playing room'.
Examples in context
- Das Spiel ist aus!The game is over.This sentence uses Spiel to indicate the end of a game.Tatoeba #947910 by Sudajaengi, translation #954346 by CK
- Wie war das Spiel?How was the game?This sentence uses Spiel to ask about the quality of a game.Tatoeba #5773531 by Myria, translation #2549390 by CK
- Das Spiel ist aus.Game over.This sentence uses Spiel to express that a game is over.Tatoeba #8647398 by Melang, translation #757089 by U2FS
- Ich spiele gerne Gesellschaftsspiele.I enjoy playing board games.
- Bist du gut in Videospielen?Are you good at video games?
- Wir haben gestern ein Fußballspiel gesehen.We watched a soccer game yesterday.
- Die Tennispartie war sehr spannend.The tennis match was very exciting.
- Er hat gestern eine Schachpartie gewonnen.He won a game of chess yesterday.
- Lass uns heute Abend zusammen zocken!Let's play games together tonight!
- Er verbringt seine Freizeit gerne mit Zocken.He enjoys spending his free time playing games.
- Lass uns ein einfaches Spielchen spielen.Let's play a simple game.
- Sie spielt gerne Spielchen mit ihren Kindern.She enjoys playing little games with her children.
- Gestern hatten wir eine riesige Gaudi beim Kartenspielen.Yesterday we had a blast playing cards.
- 705 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are sitting in a cafe with a board game.
- MaximilianDieses Spiel macht viel Spaß.This game is a lot of fun.
- SarahJa, ich liebe dieses Spiel.Yes, I love this game.
- MaximilianSoll ich noch ein Spiel holen?Should I get another game?
- SarahNein, das reicht für heute.No, that's enough for today.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Spiel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Spiel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
