die Olympiade
Olympics
In general usage, a term for the Olympic Games, that is, the major sporting event itself.
EXAMPLE
Die nächste Olympiade der Sommerspiele findet in Paris statt.
The next Summer Olympics will take place in Paris.
die Olympiade
Olympics / Olympiad
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Meanings
die Olympiade
Olympiad
A competition in a specific field of knowledge or subject area, often held for school or university students.
EXAMPLE
Meine Tochter hat bei der bundesweiten Physik-Olympiade den dritten Platz belegt.
My daughter took third place in the nationwide Physics Olympiad.
die Olympiade
Olympiad
The original ancient meaning for the period of four years between two Olympic Games, which served as a way of measuring time.
EXAMPLE
Im antiken Griechenland zählte man die Zeit nicht in Jahren, sondern in Olympiaden.
In ancient Greece, people did not count time in years, but in Olympiads.
Usage tips
Meaning over time
Although 'Olympiade' (Olympiad) originally referred to the four-year period between the Games, today in general usage the word is used almost exclusively for the Olympic Games themselves. The original meaning is only relevant in historical contexts now.
EXAMPLE
Die ganze Welt schaut bei der Olympiade zu.
The whole world watches the Olympics.
Typical verbs
In the sporting context, 'Olympiade' (Olympics) is often used with the verbs 'stattfinden' (to take place), 'gewinnen' (to win), or the construction 'an der Olympiade teilnehmen' (to take part in the Olympics).
EXAMPLE
Die Athletin möchte unbedingt an der nächsten Olympiade teilnehmen.
The athlete really wants to take part in the next Olympics.
Context: knowledge competitions
You can recognize this meaning from the fact that 'Olympiade' (Olympiad) is almost always combined with a subject area. This creates fixed terms such as 'Mathematik-Olympiade' (Mathematics Olympiad), 'Physik-Olympiade' (Physics Olympiad), or 'Schach-Olympiade' (Chess Olympiad).
EXAMPLE
Er bereitet sich seit Monaten auf die Chemie-Olympiade vor.
He has been preparing for the Chemistry Olympiad for months.
In real life
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