der Anpfiff
kickoff
The referee's whistle signal that indicates the start of a game, especially in soccer.
EXAMPLE
Kurz nach dem Anpfiff fiel bereits das erste Tor.
The first goal was scored shortly after kickoff.
der Anpfiff
kickoff / telling-off
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Meanings
der Anpfiff
telling-off
Colloquial for a loud, sharp reprimand or scolding.
EXAMPLE
Wegen seiner Unpünktlichkeit holte er sich vom Chef einen ordentlichen Anpfiff ab.
Because of his lack of punctuality, he got a proper telling-off from the boss.
Usage tips
Derived from a verb
'Der Anpfiff' is derived from the separable verb 'anpfeifen'. This verb can mean both 'to start a game with a whistle' and, colloquially, 'to reprimand someone', which explains both meanings of the noun.
EXAMPLE
Der Schiedsrichter pfiff das Spiel pünktlich an.
The referee kicked off the game on time.
Context clue
You can recognize the difference between the meanings from the context. In a sports context (game, referee, stadium), it refers to the start of the game. If a person gets an 'Anpfiff' (telling-off) from another person, it means a reprimand.
EXAMPLE
Alle Spieler waren pünktlich zum Anpfiff auf dem Feld.
All the players were on the field on time for kickoff.
Typical collocations
In a sports context, 'Anpfiff' (kickoff) is often used with time expressions such as 'kurz vor dem Anpfiff' (shortly before kickoff) or 'direkt nach dem Anpfiff' (right after kickoff). A typical verb is 'ertönen' (to sound): Der Anpfiff ertönt.
EXAMPLE
Die Fans warteten gespannt auf den Anpfiff.
The fans waited excitedly for kickoff.
Register and usage
In the meaning 'Tadel' (reprimand), the word is colloquial. It is often used with verbs such as 'bekommen' (to get), 'kriegen' (to get), or 'sich abholen' (to collect/get for oneself).
EXAMPLE
Für den Fehler hat er sich vom Projektleiter einen gewaltigen Anpfiff abgeholt.
For the mistake, he got a huge telling-off from the project manager.
Compare with
Anpfiff vs Spielbeginn
start of play
Both words refer to when a game starts. Der Anpfiff is the referee's whistle and therefore the specific signal that starts the game. Der Spielbeginn refers to the time itself, regardless of how it is signaled. Use Anpfiff for the signal and Spielbeginn when giving the time.
Anpfiff
Beim Anpfiff liefen die beiden Mannschaften sofort auf den Ball zu.
At kickoff, both teams immediately ran toward the ball.
Spielbeginn
Der Spielbeginn ist für 19 Uhr geplant, obwohl der Schiedsrichter später pfeifen könnte.
The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m., although the referee might blow the whistle later.
In real life
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