der Ball
ball
A round or oval piece of sports equipment used in many sports and games by throwing, catching, or kicking it.
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder spielen im Park mit einem Ball.
The children are playing with a ball in the park.
der Ball
ball
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Meanings
der Ball
ball
A large, festive, and formal dance event.
EXAMPLE
Sie trug ein elegantes Abendkleid zum Wiener Opernball.
She wore an elegant evening dress to the Vienna Opera Ball.
am Ball bleiben
to stick with it
An idiom that means to stay engaged and active in something and not give up.
EXAMPLE
Wenn du die neue Sprache lernen willst, musst du am Ball bleiben.
If you want to learn the new language, you have to stick with it.
der Ball
ball of the foot
The front, lower part of the foot directly behind the toes.
EXAMPLE
Beim Laufen sollte man auf dem Ball des Fußes landen, nicht auf der Ferse.
When running, you should land on the ball of your foot, not on your heel.
Usage tips
Two different words
Although they are spelled the same, 'der Ball' (ball, sports equipment) and 'der Ball' (formal dance) are two words with different origins. The context, such as sports or a formal invitation, always makes clear which meaning is intended.
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder kicken den Ball über die Wiese.
The children kick the ball across the meadow.
Typical verbs
In the meaning 'Spielgerät' (piece of sports equipment), Ball is used with typical sports verbs. These include: 'einen Ball werfen' (to throw a ball), 'fangen' (to catch), 'treten' (to kick), 'schießen' (to shoot), or 'prellen' (to bounce).
EXAMPLE
Der Torwart konnte den Ball gerade noch fangen.
The goalkeeper was just able to catch the ball.
Typical combinations
When Ball means a dance event, you go 'auf einen Ball' (to a ball) or 'besucht einen Ball' (attend a ball). It is often part of compound words such as Abschlussball (graduation ball/prom), Opernball (opera ball), or Kostümball (costume ball).
EXAMPLE
Der Abschlussball unserer Schule findet dieses Jahr im Rathaus statt.
Our school's graduation ball is taking place in the town hall this year.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'am Ball bleiben' means that you keep going with something in an engaged way. The preposition 'an' requires the dative here.
EXAMPLE
Das Projekt ist schwierig, aber wir müssen jetzt am Ball bleiben.
The project is difficult, but we have to stick with it now.
Compare with
Ball vs Tanz
dance
Both words can refer to an event where people dance. A Ball is usually a large, festive, and often formal occasion, while „Tanz“ as the name of an event is more general and sounds somewhat dated. Use „Ball“ for an elegant formal occasion and „Tanz“ as a more general term.
Ball
Am Samstag besucht das Paar den festlichen Ball im alten Rathaus.
On Saturday, the couple is attending the formal ball at the old town hall.
Tanz
Am Samstag besucht das Paar den Tanz im örtlichen Vereinshaus.
On Saturday, the couple is attending the dance at the local community center.
In real life
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