spielen
/ˈʃpiːlən/
The German verb for 'play' is spielen. Wiktionary also lists schpile (als).
Meaning: act in a manner such that one has fun (verb)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| spielen | /ˈʃpiːlən/ | |
| schpile (als) | Alemannic German |
The verb spielen is used when someone acts in a manner to have fun, including playing games, playing musical instruments or playing sports such as football or golf. If you want to express the idea of playfulness through physical activity, you would use Herumtollen instead.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The form schpile (als) is used in Alemannic-German.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The simple past form of spielen is spielte, and the past participle is gespielt.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʃpiːlən/
Did you know?
- The word Spiel can refer to a 'play' in a theater, but it also refers to the 'play' or 'clearance' in a mechanical part, such as the gap between a gear and a cog.
- German has a specific term Spieltrieb to describe the innate 'play drive' or biological urge to play, a concept common in psychology and pedagogy.
- While spielen covers instruments, if you are 'playing' a recording or a CD, Germans use the verb abspielen, adding a prefix to indicate the playback of a medium.
Examples in context
- Tom kam zum Spielen.Tom came to play.This sentence shows how to use spielen to describe coming for the purpose of playing.Tatoeba #6642600 by Felixjp, translation #2648733 by CK
- Wo spielen Sie Golf?Where do you play golf?This sentence demonstrates how to use spielen when asking about playing a sport like golf.Tatoeba #12654691 by Waldelfe, translation #9807025 by CK
- Spielen Sie hier nie.Never play here.This sentence shows how to use spielen in a command or prohibition.Tatoeba #12629811 by mayabe, translation #62585 by CM
- Ich spiele KlavierI play the piano
- Wir hatten viel Vergnügen beim gemeinsamen SpielWe had a lot of fun playing together
- Wir haben Spaß beim KartenspielenWe have fun playing cards
- Die Kinder tollen im Park herumThe children are romping around in the park
- Ich und meine Geschwister spielen oft Brettspiele zusammen.My siblings and I often play board games together.
- Das Theater hier zeigt ein aufregendes Stück.The theater here is showing an exciting play.
- Lass uns draußen spielen und im Sandkasten herumtollen!Let's go play outside and romp around in the sandbox!
- 1140 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laura and Felix are at a park with a ball.
- LauraWollen wir zusammen spielen?Do we want to play together?
- FelixJa, das macht sicher viel Spaß!Yes, that will surely be a lot of fun!
- LauraWir können hier im Gras spielen.We can play here on the grass.
- FelixGute Idee, fangen wir an!Good idea, let's start!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “play” translations and entries spielen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
