role-playing game
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role-playing game
A game in which participants take on the roles of fictional characters and experience a story together in an imagined world. This can take place as a tabletop, computer, or live-action role-playing game.
Jeden Freitagabend treffen wir uns zum Rollenspiel in einer mittelalterlichen Fantasy-Welt.
Every Friday evening we meet for a role-playing game in a medieval fantasy world.
The word is made up of 'Rolle' (role) and 'Spiel' (game). So it literally describes a game in which you take on and play a particular role.
Beim Rollenspiel schlüpft jeder Teilnehmer in eine andere Rolle.
In a role play, each participant takes on a different role.
The context makes the meaning clear. Words like 'Fantasy' (fantasy), 'Computer' (computer), or 'Freunde' (friends) point to the game (m01). Terms like 'Training' (training), 'Therapie' (therapy), or 'üben' (to practice) point to the educational method (m02).
Am Wochenende spielen wir ein Fantasy-Rollenspiel.
At the weekend we're playing a fantasy role-playing game.
For the game (m01), the verb 'spielen' (to play) is used. For the educational method (m02), the verbs 'machen' (to do) or 'durchführen' (to carry out) are common.
Wir spielen am Samstag wieder unser Rollenspiel.
We're playing our role-playing game again on Saturday.
play / spectacle
'das Schauspiel' and 'das Rollenspiel' both have to do with playing or acting something out, but they do not mean the same thing. 'Schauspiel' is a performance in front of an audience, or exaggerated behavior that seems theatrical. 'Rollenspiel' means that people deliberately take on a role, for example in a game, in class, or in an exercise. Learners may confuse the words because in both cases people portray something. The difference is: with 'Schauspiel', you are more likely watching a performance; with 'Rollenspiel', you take part yourself in a role.
Im Deutschkurs üben wir ein Rollenspiel für ein Gespräch beim Arzt.
In German class, we are practicing a role play for a conversation at the doctor's office.
Nach dem Streit machte er ein großes Schauspiel vor allen Gästen.
After the argument, he made a big scene in front of all the guests.