A game played together by several people that often requires cooperation or competition within the group. It is usually used for entertainment, team building, or sporting competition.
example
Bei der Fußball-Weltmeisterschaft entscheidet das letzte Gruppenspiel, welche Mannschaft ins Achtelfinale einzieht.
At the football World Cup, the final group game determines which team advances to the round of sixteen.
Usage tips
Word composition
The word is composed of 'Gruppe' (group), in the form 'Gruppen', and 'Spiel' (game). So it literally refers to a game that you play in a group.
EXAMPLE
Für den Kindergeburtstag haben wir mehrere Gruppenspiele vorbereitet.
We prepared several group games for the children's birthday party.
Context clue
The word has two common contexts. It can be an entertainment game for a party or seminar, or an official match in the preliminary round of a sports tournament (the 'Gruppenphase' — group stage).
EXAMPLE
Als Teambuilding-Maßnahme machten wir ein lustiges Gruppenspiel.
As a team-building activity, we played a fun group game.
Typical collocations
In a sports context, typical collocations are 'das erste/letzte Gruppenspiel' (the first/last group game), 'ein Gruppenspiel bestreiten' (to play a group game), 'ein Gruppenspiel gewinnen/verlieren' (to win/lose a group game), or 'im Gruppenspiel ausscheiden' (to be eliminated in the group game).
EXAMPLE
Die Mannschaft hat alle ihre Gruppenspiele gewonnen.