spielen
/ˈʃpiːlən/
The German word for "playing" is spielen.
The most straightforward translation for "playing" is spielen. If you want to express "playing" in the context of gaming or playing video games, zocken is the word you're looking for. If you are talking about playful activities of a romantic nature, such as kissing or flirting, you can use the informal slang term rummachen.
Which one should you use?
While spielen covers playing games and instruments, spielen is distinct from ausüben or machen when referring to performing a professional activity or job.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʃpiːlən/
Did you know?
- The word Spielraum, which literally translates to 'playing room', is a common way to describe 'leeway' or 'scope' in a business or political context.
- German has a specific word, Spieltrieb, which describes the innate 'play drive' or biological urge to play that humans and animals possess.
- The slang term zocken originally referred to gambling with dice before it became the standard word for playing video games.
Examples in context
- Yanni ist am Spielen.Yanni is playing.This sentence uses the form spielen.Tatoeba #13653958 by Naina, translation #9975232 by Amastan
- Wir spielen am Strand.We're playing on the beach.Tatoeba #5321524 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #11053789 by sundown
- Spielen Sie gut Klavier?Are you good at playing the piano?Tatoeba #2990413 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2990078 by CK
- Ich spiele gerne Fußball.I enjoy playing soccer.
- Er spielt Klavier sehr gut.He plays the piano very well.
- Lass uns zusammen zocken!Let's play together!
- Er zockt den ganzen Tag.He plays games all day long.
- 330 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In a living room, a boy is playing with his toy cars.
- JulianWas machst du da?What are you doing there?
- HannahIch möchte nur spielen.I just want to play.
- JulianWillst du mit mir spielen?Do you want to play with me?
- HannahJa, gerne!Yes, gladly!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry spielen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
