der Kicker
footballer
Colloquial term for a football player.
EXAMPLE
Schon als Kind wollte er ein berühmter Kicker werden.
Even as a child, he wanted to become a famous footballer.
der Kicker
footballer / foosball
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Meanings
der Kicker
foosball
A table football game in which you move small figures with rods to shoot a ball into the opponent's goal.
EXAMPLE
In der Mittagspause spielen wir im Büro immer eine Runde Kicker.
During our lunch break, we always play a round of foosball at the office.
der Kicker
Kicker
The name of a well-known German sports magazine that mainly reports on football.
EXAMPLE
Laut dem „Kicker“ hat der Verein einen neuen Stürmer verpflichtet.
According to 'Kicker', the club has signed a new striker.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word 'Kicker' is derived from the colloquial verb 'kicken' (to play football). The ending '-er' denotes a person who performs this action—so someone who kicks.
EXAMPLE
Er ist ein leidenschaftlicher Kicker und spielt in seiner Freizeit oft Fußball.
He is a passionate footballer and often plays football in his free time.
Context clue
The meaning of 'Kicker' becomes clear from the context. If people are being discussed, it means a football player. If it is about a game in the office or in a bar, it means foosball. Quotes or media reports point to the magazine.
EXAMPLE
Mein Lieblingskicker hat gestern ein Tor geschossen.
My favorite footballer scored a goal yesterday.
Register: colloquial
The term 'Kicker' for a football player is colloquial. In official reports or more formal contexts, words such as 'Fußballspieler' (football player) or 'Profi' (professional) are more likely to be used.
EXAMPLE
Die Jungs auf dem Bolzplatz sind echt gute Kicker.
The boys on the football pitch are really good footballers.
Typical collocations
When referring to the table football game, typical phrases are 'eine Runde Kicker spielen' (to play a round of foosball), 'sich am Kicker treffen' (to meet at the foosball table), or 'ein Kicker-Turnier veranstalten' (to organize a foosball tournament).
EXAMPLE
Wer verliert, muss die nächste Runde am Kicker bezahlen.
Whoever loses has to pay for the next round at the foosball table.
Use as a source
When the magazine is meant, 'der Kicker' is often named as a source of information. Typical formulations are 'laut dem Kicker' (according to Kicker) or 'der Kicker berichtet' (Kicker reports).
EXAMPLE
Laut dem Kicker wechselt der Spieler den Verein.
According to Kicker, the player is changing clubs.
Compare with
Kicker vs Spieler
player
In soccer, Spieler and Kicker can refer to the same person involved in the game. Spieler is the neutral and more general term for someone in a game, while Kicker specifically refers to soccer and is colloquial. Spieler is appropriate in a neutral text, while Kicker can also be used in a casual soccer conversation.
Kicker
Der Kicker schießt kurz vor dem Ende das entscheidende Tor.
The footballer scores the decisive goal shortly before the end.
Spieler
Der Spieler schießt kurz vor dem Ende das entscheidende Tor.
The player scores the decisive goal shortly before the end.
In real life
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