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
das Match
match
A colloquial term for a good or suitable combination of people or things, often in the context of dating or compatibility.
EXAMPLE
Laut der Dating-App sind die beiden ein perfektes Match.
According to the dating app, the two of them are a perfect match.
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
Spiel and Match can refer to the same individual sporting contest. Spiel is the neutral and broader term. Match is especially common in sports such as tennis or boxing and, depending on the context, sounds more like sports terminology or colloquial language.
Match
Das Match zwischen den beiden Tennisspielerinnen dauerte fast drei Stunden.
The match between the two tennis players lasted almost three hours.
Spiel
Das Spiel zwischen den beiden Tennisspielerinnen dauerte fast drei Stunden.
The game between the two tennis players lasted almost three hours.
In real life
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