das Spiel
game
An activity with fixed rules that is done for fun, entertainment, or in competition.
EXAMPLE
Lass uns am Wochenende ein Brettspiel spielen.
Let's play a board game this weekend.
das Spiel
game / play
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Meanings
das Spiel
game / match
A single sporting contest between two people or teams.
EXAMPLE
Das Fußballspiel endete 2:2 unentschieden.
The soccer game ended in a 2–2 draw.
das Spiel
acting / performance
The acting performance or staging of a play.
EXAMPLE
Das Spiel der Hauptdarstellerin war absolut beeindruckend.
The lead actress's performance was absolutely impressive.
das Spiel
game
A complex, often strategic or manipulative interaction between people or groups.
EXAMPLE
Sie durchschaute das politische Spiel ihrer Gegner sofort.
She immediately saw through her opponents' political game.
das Spiel
playing
The way someone plays a musical instrument; playing technique.
EXAMPLE
Sein virtuoses Spiel auf der Geige begeisterte das Publikum.
His virtuosic playing on the violin thrilled the audience.
etwas aufs Spiel setzen
to put at risk
A fixed expression meaning to risk or endanger something valuable.
EXAMPLE
Mit dieser unüberlegten Aktion hat er seine ganze Karriere aufs Spiel gesetzt.
With this rash action, he put his entire career at risk.
Usage tips
Word family
'Das Spiel' (game/play) is the noun related to the very common verb 'spielen' (to play). 'Der Spieler' (the player) and 'das Spielzeug' (the toy) are also derived from it.
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder spielen am liebsten mit ihrem neuen Spielzeug.
The children like playing with their new toy most of all.
Fixed expression with accusative
The idiom 'etwas aufs Spiel setzen' means to risk something important. The preposition 'aufs' is a fixed short form of 'auf das' and always requires the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Für diesen Traum hat er alles aufs Spiel gesetzt.
For this dream, he put everything at risk.
Context clues
You can recognize the meaning of 'Spiel' from the context. Sports point to a competition, instruments to a musical performance, and words like 'Theater' (theater) to acting.
EXAMPLE
Das Spiel der deutschen Mannschaft war enttäuschend.
The German team's game was disappointing.
Typical verb-noun combination
The most common combination is 'ein Spiel spielen' (to play a game). Even though it sounds as if you are repeating the same word, this is a completely normal and common expression.
EXAMPLE
Wollen wir heute Abend zusammen ein Spiel spielen?
Do we want to play a game together tonight?
In a sports context
When a sports event is meant, typical verbs are 'ansehen' (to watch), 'übertragen' (to broadcast), or 'pfeifen' (to referee / blow the whistle, said of the referee). The score is often described with 'das Spiel endet ...' (the game ends ...).
EXAMPLE
Der Schiedsrichter hat das Spiel pünktlich angepfiffen.
The referee kicked off the game right on time.
Figurative meaning
In a figurative sense, 'Spiel' often describes negative, manipulative actions. In this context, it is frequently combined with adjectives such as 'politisch' (political), 'gefährlich' (dangerous), or 'falsch' (false/dishonest).
EXAMPLE
Ich bin nicht bereit, dieses politische Spiel mitzuspielen.
I'm not willing to play along with this political game.
Compare with
Spiel vs Vortrag
lecture / presentation
Spiel and Vortrag can both describe how someone performs music. Spiel focuses more on the person’s individual playing style and technical execution on the instrument. Vortrag refers more strongly to the interpretation and performance of a particular piece of music.
Spiel
Ihr Spiel am Klavier ist technisch sehr sicher.
Her piano playing is technically very confident.
Vortrag
Ihr Vortrag der Sonate wirkt ruhig und ausdrucksstark.
Her performance of the sonata sounds calm and expressive.
In real life
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