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
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Meanings
mitspielen
to play a role
To play a role in an event or development; to be a factor that influences something.
EXAMPLE
Bei seiner Entscheidung, den Job anzunehmen, hat auch das gute Gehalt mitgespielt.
The good salary also played a role in his decision to accept the job.
mitspielen
to play along
To consciously cooperate in a plan, deception, or joke and act as if you know nothing or agree with it.
EXAMPLE
Obwohl sie von der Überraschungsparty wusste, hat sie perfekt mitgespielt und sich riesig gefreut.
Although she knew about the surprise party, she played along perfectly and acted absolutely delighted.
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
Both words can express taking part together in a game, a sports activity, or a performance. „Spielen“ names the activity in general. „Mitspielen“ additionally emphasizes that someone is joining an already existing group or activity. Use „mitspielen“ when taking part with the others is explicitly important.
mitspielen
Als ein Kind fehlt, darf Paul im Garten mitspielen.
When one child is absent, Paul is allowed to join in in the garden.
spielen
Die Kinder spielen im Garten Fußball.
The children are playing soccer in the garden.
In real life
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