cup / trophy
Loading your saved state.
trophy
A trophy, usually in the form of a decorated metal cup, awarded as a prize in a sporting competition.
Der Kapitän der Siegermannschaft durfte den Pokal als Erster in die Höhe stemmen.
The captain of the winning team was the first to lift the trophy into the air.
cup
The competition itself, in which a trophy can be won as the main prize.
Unsere Mannschaft ist leider schon in der ersten Runde aus dem Pokal ausgeschieden.
Unfortunately, our team was knocked out of the cup in the first round.
goblet
A large, ornate drinking vessel with a stem and base; a chalice or goblet.
Der König trank Wein aus einem schweren, silbernen Pokal.
The king drank wine from a heavy silver goblet.
Pay attention to the verb to know whether the trophy (object) or the competition is meant. Verbs like 'gewinnen' (to win) or 'hochhalten' (to hold up) refer to the trophy, while 'teilnehmen' (to take part) or 'ausscheiden' (to be eliminated) mean the competition.
Die Mannschaft hat den Pokal gewonnen. (Trophäe)
The team won the trophy. (trophy)
When 'der Pokal' (the trophy) is the trophy, it is often combined with verbs of winning and showing: 'den Pokal gewinnen' (to win the trophy), 'den Pokal überreichen' (to present the trophy), 'den Pokal hochhalten' (to hold up the trophy), or 'den Pokal verteidigen' (to defend the trophy).
Der Kapitän durfte den Pokal als Erster hochhalten.
The captain was the first to hold up the trophy.
When 'der Pokal' (the cup) refers to the competition, typical phrases are: 'im Pokal spielen' (to play in the cup), 'aus dem Pokal ausscheiden' (to be knocked out of the cup), 'eine Runde weiterkommen' (to advance to the next round), or 'das Pokalfinale erreichen' (to reach the cup final).
Leider ist unser Team schon früh aus dem Pokal ausgeschieden.
Unfortunately, our team was knocked out of the cup early.
The meaning 'Trinkgefäß' (drinking vessel) is outdated or limited to historical contexts. It describes a large, often decorated goblet, not a normal glass.
Im Museum sahen wir alte Pokale aus Gold und Silber.
In the museum, we saw old goblets made of gold and silver.
cup
For a sporting competition or its prize, both Cup and Pokal can be possible. Cup especially sounds like the English-influenced term for the competition or trophy, while Pokal is the standard German term. In everyday German texts, Pokal is usually the better fit; in established names, Cup is often used.
Unsere Mannschaft nahm gestern den Pokal entgegen.
Our team accepted the trophy yesterday.
Unsere Mannschaft gewann gestern den Cup.
Our team won the cup yesterday.
