competitive match
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competitive match
In sports, an official match that takes place as part of a competition such as a league, cup, or championship. The opposite is a friendly or test match.
Nach einer Reihe von Testspielen steht für die Mannschaft am Wochenende das erste Pflichtspiel der Saison an.
After a series of test matches, the team has its first competitive match of the season coming up at the weekend.
The word is made up of 'die Pflicht' (duty/obligation) and 'das Spiel' (game/match). So it literally describes a match that is an obligation within a competition.
Für den Verein ist dieses Pokalspiel das wichtigste Pflichtspiel des Jahres.
For the club, this cup match is the most important competitive match of the year.
In a sports context, 'Pflichtspiel' is often combined with the verbs 'bestreiten' (to play/contest), 'absolvieren' (to complete/play), or 'austragen' (to hold/play).
Die Nationalmannschaft muss noch drei Pflichtspiele absolvieren.
The national team still has to play three competitive matches.
This word is used almost exclusively in sports. It serves to clearly distinguish official competitive matches from test matches or friendlies.
Der Stürmer hat in dieser Saison in jedem Pflichtspiel ein Tor geschossen.
The striker has scored a goal in every competitive match this season.
game / section
'die Partie' and 'das Pflichtspiel' can both refer to a single game or match. 'Partie' is more general and fits, for example, with chess, card games, tennis, or also in sports reporting. 'Pflichtspiel' is more specific: it is an official match in a league, cup, or championship. So it is not a test match or a friendly match. Learners may confuse the words because a 'Pflichtspiel' can also be a 'Partie'. But not every 'Partie' is a 'Pflichtspiel'.
Am Wochenende hat unser Verein das erste Pflichtspiel der neuen Saison.
At the weekend, our club has its first competitive match of the new season.
Nach dem Abendessen spielen Max und Tom noch eine Partie Schach.
After dinner, Max and Tom play another game of chess.