soccer / football
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soccer
A team sport in which two teams try to get a ball into the opposing goal, mainly with their feet.
Jeden Samstagnachmittag spielt er mit seinen Freunden Fußball.
Every Saturday afternoon, he plays soccer with his friends.
'Fußball' (soccer/football) is a compound noun made up of 'der Fuß' (the foot) and 'der Ball' (the ball). So the meaning is literally: a ball that is played with the foot.
Man braucht nur einen Ball und ein paar Freunde, um Fußball zu spielen.
You only need a ball and a few friends to play soccer.
Careful for speakers of American English: the German word 'Fußball' always means 'soccer'. The sport popular in the USA, 'American football', is usually called 'American Football' in German.
Die Weltmeisterschaft im Fußball findet alle vier Jahre statt.
The soccer World Cup takes place every four years.
Whether the sport (m01) or the ball (m02) is meant is often revealed by the article. When speaking generally about the sport, no article is often used. When referring to the specific ball, there is usually an article or pronoun before it.
Er spielt seit seiner Kindheit Fußball.
He has played soccer since childhood.
When talking about the sport, the most common combination is 'Fußball spielen' (to play soccer). You can also say 'Fußball schauen' or 'Fußball gucken' (to watch soccer) when following a game on TV or in the stadium.
Am Wochenende treffen wir uns immer, um Fußball zu gucken.
On the weekend, we always meet up to watch soccer.
ball
'der Fußball' and 'der Ball' can both mean a round piece of sports equipment. 'Ball' is the general word for many sports and games. 'Fußball' is more specific: it is the ball used in a game of soccer. Learners may confuse the words because a soccer ball is always a ball, but not every ball is a soccer ball. If the sport is clear or important, you say 'Fußball'. If it is just about any play ball, 'Ball' fits better.
Der Fußball liegt noch auf dem Sportplatz neben dem Tor.
The soccer ball is still on the sports field next to the goal.
Im Park hat ein Kind den Ball über den Zaun geworfen.
In the park, a child threw the ball over the fence.