01
kicken
to play soccer
Colloquial for playing soccer.
example
Nach der Schule treffen wir uns immer im Park zum Kicken.
After school, we always meet in the park to play soccer.
kicken
to play soccer / kick / kick out
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Origin of the word
The verb 'kicken' is a loanword from English ('to kick'). It has become established especially in colloquial language and youth slang.
EXAMPLE
Das Wort „kicken“ wird von jungen Leuten oft benutzt.
The word 'kicken' is often used by young people.
Register: colloquial
In the meaning 'Fußball spielen' (to play soccer), 'kicken' is clearly colloquial. In formal contexts or sports news, you would use 'Fußball spielen' instead.
EXAMPLE
Lass uns später eine Runde kicken gehen!
Let's go play a round of soccer later!
Register: youth slang
The meaning 'jemanden aus einer Gruppe entfernen' (to remove someone from a group) is typical youth slang and is used almost exclusively in the context of online games, chats, or social media.
EXAMPLE
Wenn du weiter störst, kicken wir dich aus der Gruppe.
If you keep causing trouble, we'll kick you out of the group.
Sentence structure
When someone is removed from a group, the fixed structure is: 'jemanden (Akkusativ) aus etwas (Dativ) kicken' (to kick someone out of something).
EXAMPLE
Der Administrator hat ihn aus dem Forum gekickt.
The administrator kicked him out of the forum.
Context clues
You can recognize the meaning from context: If it is about sports and leisure, it usually means 'Fußball spielen' (to play soccer). If there is an object like 'einen Stein' (a stone), it means 'treten' (to kick). In an online context with a person as the object, it means 'rauswerfen' (to kick out).
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder kicken auf der Wiese. (Fußball spielen)
The children are playing soccer on the meadow. (playing soccer)
Compare with
kicken vs entfernen
to remove
'entfernen' and 'kicken' can both mean that someone no longer remains in a group or digital space. 'entfernen' is neutral and works in many situations, including formal texts. 'kicken' is colloquial and is used mainly in chats, online games, or groups. It sounds more direct and often harsher. In official situations, it is better to say 'entfernen'. Among friends or in a game, 'kicken' can sound more natural.
kicken
Nach der dritten Warnung kickt Felix den Spieler aus dem Chat.
After the third warning, Felix kicks the player out of the chat.
entfernen
Die Administratorin entfernt den Nutzer aus der Gruppe, weil er ständig beleidigt.
The administrator removes the user from the group because he keeps insulting people.
In real life
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