01
mitspielen
to join in
To take part together with others in a game, a sports activity, or a musical or theatrical performance.
example
Darf mein kleiner Bruder bei eurem Kartenspiel mitspielen?
Can my little brother join in your card game?
mitspielen
to join in / play along
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 03
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Mitspielen' (to join in/play along) is a separable verb. The prefix 'mit-' separates from the verb 'spielen' (to play) in main clauses and goes to the end. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Beim Fußball spielen alle Kinder zusammen mit.
All the children join in together when playing soccer.
Use with "bei"
To name the activity or event in which someone participates, the preposition 'bei' with the dative is used very often. This applies to both the literal and the figurative meaning.
EXAMPLE
Sie spielt bei einer Theateraufführung mit.
She is taking part in a theater performance.
Context clue
In the figurative meaning 'ein Faktor sein' (to be a factor), the subject of the sentence is usually not a person, but an abstract thing. Typical subjects include 'das Wetter' (the weather), 'das Geld' (the money), or 'die Erfahrung' (the experience).
EXAMPLE
Für den Erfolg des Projekts spielte auch das Glück ein wenig mit.
Luck also played a small role in the success of the project.
Typical contexts
In the literal meaning, 'mitspielen' is often used in contexts involving leisure activities. Common areas are sports, music, theater, or board games.
EXAMPLE
Er spielt seit zwei Jahren in einer Rockband mit.
He has been playing in a rock band for two years.
Compare with
mitspielen vs spielen
to play
'spielen' and 'mitspielen' are close in meaning because both can be used with games, sports, music, or theater. 'spielen' generally says that someone is doing an activity: a game, soccer, an instrument, or a role. 'mitspielen' emphasizes that someone is taking part together with others. So you can play guitar alone, but join in a band. In the phrase 'eine Rolle spielen' (to play a role), 'spielen' also means 'to be important'. 'mitspielen' can similarly mean that a factor is involved in something. Learners can easily confuse the words because 'mitspielen' looks like a small variation of 'spielen'. The important part is 'mit': it is often about participation or involvement.
mitspielen
Paul darf heute beim Training der älteren Mannschaft mitspielen.
Paul is allowed to join in with the older team's training today.
spielen
Nach der Schule spielen die Kinder im Hof Fußball.
After school, the children play soccer in the courtyard.
In real life
Loading video examples...