01
das Match
match
A contest or game between two or more people or teams in a sport, especially in tennis, boxing, or football/soccer.
example
Das Tennis-Match dauerte über drei Stunden.
The tennis match lasted over three hours.
das Match
match
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Meanings
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Usage tips
English loanword
The word 'Match' is borrowed directly from English. In German, it is used mainly in sports and, more recently, also in the area of dating.
EXAMPLE
Das war ein faires Match zwischen den beiden Spielerinnen.
That was a fair match between the two female players.
Context clue
You can tell from the context whether it means a sporting contest or a suitable combination. Words like 'Tennis' (tennis), 'gewinnen' (to win), or 'Spielstand' (score) point to sports, while 'Dating-App' (dating app) or 'perfekt zusammenpassen' (to be a perfect fit) point to dating.
EXAMPLE
Sie haben sich über eine App kennengelernt und waren sofort ein Match.
They met through an app and were immediately a match.
Typical collocations
In a sports context, 'Match' (match) is often combined with certain verbs. Typical phrases are: 'ein Match bestreiten' (to play/contest a match), 'ein Match gewinnen' (to win a match), 'ein Match verlieren' (to lose a match), and 'ein Match ansehen' (to watch a match).
EXAMPLE
Die Mannschaft hat ihr letztes Match leider verloren.
Unfortunately, the team lost its last match.
Modern usage
This colloquial meaning is very modern and comes directly from the world of online dating apps. Here, 'ein Match haben' (to have a match) means that two people have shown mutual interest.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe ein neues Match in meiner Dating-App.
I have a new match in my dating app.
Compare with
Match vs Spiel
game / play
'das Spiel' and 'das Match' can both mean a sporting contest. In German, 'das Spiel' is very general and works for many sports, especially team sports like soccer or handball. 'das Match' sounds a bit more sporty and often somewhat more modern or colloquial. It is especially natural for tennis, boxing, or also soccer. The words can be confused because they often refer to the same situation. With 'Spiel', you are usually neutral and on the safe side; 'Match' fits better when you want to emphasize the contest as a sporting duel.
Match
Nach drei langen Sätzen hat Sofia das Match im Tennis gewonnen.
After three long sets, Sofia won the tennis match.
Spiel
Das Spiel unserer Mannschaft beginnt heute um acht Uhr.
Our team's game starts today at eight o'clock.
In real life
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