01
der Player
player
An electronic device or software for playing audio or video files.
example
Ich höre meine Musik unterwegs mit einem MP3-Player.
I listen to my music on the go with an MP3 player.
der Player
player
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning of 'Player' from the context: if it is about technology and media, the device is meant. In the context of business and politics, it means an actor. In sports or games, it means a fellow player or participant.
EXAMPLE
Mein alter CD-Player funktioniert nicht mehr.
My old CD player doesn't work anymore.
Origin and register
'Player' is a direct loanword from English and is pronounced that way too. It is often used in modern, youth-language, or specialized contexts (business, gaming).
EXAMPLE
Lass uns die neuen Player für das Online-Game testen.
Let's test the new players for the online game.
Productive compounds
In the meaning of playback device, 'Player' is often the second part of compound words. Examples include 'MP3-Player' (MP3 player), 'CD-Player' (CD player), 'DVD-Player' (DVD player), or 'Blu-ray-Player' (Blu-ray player).
EXAMPLE
Kannst du die Musik auf deinem MP3-Player lauter machen?
Can you turn up the music on your MP3 player?
Typical collocations
As an influential actor, 'Player' is often combined with adjectives that describe size or influence. Typical examples are 'Global Player' (global player), 'Big Player' (big player), or 'wichtiger Player' (important player).
EXAMPLE
Die Firma hat sich zu einem Global Player entwickelt.
The company has developed into a global player.
Register
This figurative meaning is typical of the language of business and politics. It is often found in news, specialist articles, and analyses.
EXAMPLE
Mehrere kleine Unternehmen sind neue Player in dieser Branche.
Several small companies are new players in this industry.
Compare with
Player vs Spieler
player
'der Spieler' and 'der Player' can be used similarly in several areas. In technology, 'Spieler' can mean a device for playing media, while 'Player' is especially common today for software or devices for music and videos. In business or politics, both can mean an important active person or organization; 'Player' sounds more modern and often somewhat influenced by English. In games, too, 'Player' can simply mean 'Spieler', especially in gaming contexts. The words can be confused because 'Player' is often the English form of 'Spieler'. In normal German, 'Spieler' is usually more neutral; 'Player' fits better with technology, gaming, or modern specialist language.
Player
Der Player auf meinem Handy spielt die Datei nicht ab.
The player on my phone won’t play the file.
Spieler
Im Kurs hat der Spieler die DVD nicht richtig gelesen.
In the course, the player did not read the DVD correctly.
In real life
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