playground
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playground
A specially designed outdoor place with equipment such as swings, slides, or climbing frames, intended for children to play.
Nach der Schule gehen die Kinder oft zusammen auf den Spielplatz im Park.
After school, the children often go together to the playground in the park.
'Der Spielplatz' (playground) is a compound noun made from 'das Spiel' (game/play) and 'der Platz' (place). The 's' in the middle is a linking element that connects the two words. Literally, then, it is a 'place to play'.
In unserer Nachbarschaft gibt es einen neuen Spielplatz.
There is a new playground in our neighborhood.
With 'Spielplatz' (playground), the preposition 'auf' is almost always used. To indicate direction, use the accusative ('auf den Spielplatz gehen' — to go to the playground). To describe a location, use the dative ('auf dem Spielplatz sein' — to be at/on the playground).
Lass uns am Nachmittag auf den Spielplatz gehen.
Let's go to the playground in the afternoon.
The figurative meaning is usually used critically. It expresses that a serious place or situation is wrongly being used for irresponsible behavior. It often appears in the phrase 'ist kein Spielplatz' (is not a playground).
Die Börse ist kein Spielplatz für Amateure.
The stock market is not a playground for amateurs.
leeway / playroom
'der Spielplatz' and 'der Spielraum' can both have to do with playing, but they are used very differently. A 'Spielplatz' is normally an outdoor place for children, with a slide, swing, or climbing frame. A 'Spielraum' can also be a room or area for playing, but very often the word is used figuratively to mean freedom in deciding or acting. Learners may confuse the words because both begin with 'Spiel-'. In everyday language, 'Spielplatz' is very clearly used for an outdoor place for children. 'Spielraum' is used especially when someone can act flexibly within certain limits.
Nach dem Mittagessen gehen die Kinder auf den Spielplatz hinter dem Haus.
After lunch, the children go to the playground behind the house.
Bei diesem Termin haben wir noch etwas Spielraum und können eine andere Uhrzeit wählen.
We still have some leeway with this appointment and can choose a different time.