01
der Handball
handball
A team sport in which two teams try to throw a ball into the opposing goal.
example
Er spielt seit seiner Kindheit im Verein Handball.
He has played handball in a club since childhood.
der Handball
handball
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Compound word
The word 'Handball' (handball) is a clear compound made up of 'Hand' (hand) and 'Ball' (ball). It literally describes a ball that is played with the hand, and thus names the central principle of the sport.
EXAMPLE
Beim Handball darf der Ball nur mit den Händen berührt werden.
In handball, the ball may only be touched with the hands.
Context clue
Whether the sport or the ball is meant can often be recognized from the article. When speaking about the sport in general, no article is often used ('Handball spielen' — to play handball). If the ball as an object is meant, there is usually an article before it ('den Handball fangen' — to catch the handball).
EXAMPLE
Er spielt professionell Handball.
He plays handball professionally.
Word component
'Handball' (handball) is a very productive base word for many other compounds related to the sport. Examples are 'der Handballspieler' (the handball player), 'die Handballmannschaft' (the handball team), or 'das Handballtor' (the handball goal).
EXAMPLE
Die deutsche Handballnationalmannschaft hat das Spiel gewonnen.
The German national handball team won the match.
Typical verbs
When 'Handball' (handball) means the sport, it is almost always used with the verb 'spielen' (to play). Other typical verbs are 'trainieren' (to train) or 'schauen' (to watch).
EXAMPLE
Jeden Dienstagabend gehen wir zusammen Handball spielen.
Every Tuesday evening we go play handball together.
Compare with
Handball vs Fußball
soccer / football
'der Fußball' and 'der Handball' can both refer to a sport or to the ball used for that sport. They are easy to confuse because the words are built in a similar way, and both are team sports with goals. The difference lies in how they are played: in soccer, you play the ball mainly with your feet; in handball, you throw and catch it with your hands. The balls are different too. When you are talking about the sport, the question helps: feet or hands?
Handball
Ali wirft den Handball mit voller Kraft ins Tor.
Ali throws the handball into the goal with full force.
Fußball
Tom spielt seit seiner Kindheit Fußball im Verein.
Tom has played soccer in a club since childhood.
In real life
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