Spiele
The English phrase 'games' is translated into German as Spiele.
Spiele refers to activities played for entertainment or sport. If you are talking about the act of playing games, particularly video games, you might hear the colloquial term Zocken.
Which one should you use?
If you are referring to a single game, use the singular form Spiel. While Spiele refers to the activities or games themselves, the word Spielzeug refers specifically to physical toys.
How does it change in a sentence?
Spiele is the plural form of the neuter noun das Spiel. The singular form is Spiel.
Did you know?
- The word Spielraum literally translates to 'game room' but actually means 'leeway' or the amount of freedom one has to maneuver in a situation.
- The slang term Zocken originally referred to gambling or playing for money before it became the standard word for gaming on a computer or console.
- The word Spielend can mean 'playing', but when used as an adverb, it means 'easily' or 'effortlessly', as if the task were a mere game.
Examples in context
- Welche Spiele hast du?What games do you have?This sentence is useful for asking what games someone possesses using Spiele.Tatoeba #4165342 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #4135127 by CK
- Tom lädt Spiele herunter.Tom is downloading games.This sentence is useful for describing the downloading of Spiele.Tatoeba #1661173 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1661170 by Amastan
- Sie haben Spiele gespielt.They played games.This sentence is useful for stating that someone has played Spiele.Tatoeba #9998629 by wolfgangth, translation #2243288 by CK
- Welche Spiele möchten Sie heute spielen?Which games would you like to play today?
- Lust, heute Abend zu zocken?Feel like gaming tonight?
- 100 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felix and Sarah are deciding what to do on a rainy afternoon.
- FelixSollen wir heute einige Spiele spielen?Should we play some games today?
- SarahJa, das ist eine gute Idee, Felix.Yes, that is a good idea, Felix.
- FelixWelche Spiele möchtest du spielen?Which games would you like to play?
- SarahIch möchte gerne Kartenspiele spielen.I would like to play card games.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
