basketball
der Basketball, die Basketbälle
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basketball
A sport in which two teams try to throw a ball into the opponent's basket.
In seiner Freizeit spielt er am liebsten Basketball mit seinen Freunden.
In his free time, he likes playing basketball with his friends best.
basketball
The special ball used for the ball game of the same name.
Kannst du mir den Basketball zuwerfen?
Can you throw me the basketball?
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Basketbälle |
| genitive | des Basketballes |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Basketball | die Basketbälle |
| accusative | den Basketball | die Basketbälle |
| dative | dem Basketball | den Basketbällen |
| genitive | des Basketballes des Basketballs | der Basketbälle |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
The word 'Basketball' (basketball) was taken directly from English. It is made up of 'basket' (der Korb) and 'ball' (der Ball).
Ziel des Spiels ist es, den Ball in den Korb zu werfen.
The aim of the game is to throw the ball into the basket.
You can often tell whether the sport or the ball is meant from the verb and the article. 'Basketball spielen' (to play basketball), without an article, refers to the sport. When talking about the ball as an object, an article is usually used, e.g. 'den Basketball werfen' (to throw the basketball).
Wir spielen jeden Samstag Basketball im Park.
We play basketball in the park every Saturday.
When 'Basketball' (basketball) refers to the sport, it is used with the verb 'spielen' (to play) without an article. This pattern applies to most sports in German.
Mein Bruder spielt professionell Basketball.
My brother plays basketball professionally.
When the ball is meant, 'Basketball' (basketball) is often combined with verbs of movement. Typical ones are: 'den Basketball werfen' (to throw the basketball), 'dribbeln' (to dribble), 'fangen' (to catch), or 'prellen' (to bounce).
Er hat den Basketball mit einer Hand gefangen.
He caught the basketball with one hand.
