die Nationalelf
national team
A country's national football team, especially the eleven players who are on the field.
EXAMPLE
Die deutsche Nationalelf hat das Spiel gegen Frankreich gewonnen.
The German national team won the game against France.
die Nationalelf
national team
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Meanings
Usage tips
Compound word
The word consists of 'National' (national) and 'Elf' (eleven). 'Elf' is the number 11 and refers to the eleven players of a football team who are on the field.
EXAMPLE
Die Fans feierten die erfolgreiche Nationalelf.
The fans celebrated the successful national team.
Context: football
This term is used almost exclusively in the context of 'Fußball' (football/soccer) to refer to a country's national team. It is very common in sports reporting and everyday speech.
EXAMPLE
Der Trainer gab die Aufstellung der Nationalelf für das nächste Spiel bekannt.
The coach announced the national team's lineup for the next game.
Typical use
The word is usually combined with an adjective indicating nationality, for example 'die deutsche Nationalelf' (the German national team) or 'die brasilianische Nationalelf' (the Brazilian national team).
EXAMPLE
Die italienische Nationalelf bereitet sich auf die Weltmeisterschaft vor.
The Italian national team is preparing for the World Cup.
Compare with
Nationalelf vs Nationalmannschaft
national team
Nationalmannschaft and Nationalelf can refer to the same football team. However, Nationalmannschaft can also mean the entire squad or the team in general, while Nationalelf particularly emphasizes the eleven players on the field. For other sports, only Nationalmannschaft is appropriate.
Nationalelf
Die Nationalelf steht nach der Pause wieder auf dem Spielfeld.
The eleven players are back on the field after halftime.
Nationalmannschaft
Die Nationalmannschaft reist mit 23 Spielern zum Turnier.
The national team is traveling to the tournament with 23 players.
In real life
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