regular spot / starting spot
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starting spot
In sports, the position of a player who is regularly in a team's lineup from the start.
Nach seiner Verletzung musste der Stürmer hart um seinen Stammplatz kämpfen.
After his injury, the striker had to fight hard for his starting spot.
The word is made up of 'Stamm' and 'Platz'. Here, 'Stamm' means something like 'fixed', 'regular', or 'main'. So a 'Stammplatz' is literally a fixed, customary place.
Der Kapitän der Mannschaft hat seinen Stammplatz in der Verteidigung sicher.
The team captain has his starting spot in defense secured.
You can easily recognize the meaning from context. In a sports context with words like 'Mannschaft' (team), 'Spieler' (player), or 'Trainer' (coach), it refers to the position in the team. In a restaurant or theater, it means the usual seat.
Der neue Stürmer hat sich schnell einen Stammplatz in der Startelf erobert.
The new striker quickly earned himself a starting spot in the starting eleven.
In sports, phrases such as 'um einen Stammplatz kämpfen' (to fight for a starting spot), 'seinen Stammplatz verlieren' (to lose one's starting spot), or 'sich einen Stammplatz sichern/erarbeiten' (to secure/earn oneself a starting spot) are often used.
Nach seiner langen Verletzungspause muss er nun wieder um seinen Stammplatz kämpfen.
After his long injury break, he now has to fight for his starting spot again.
The concept of a 'Stammplatz' (regular spot) is closely connected to that of a 'Stammgast' (regular customer) — a person who regularly visits a restaurant or pub. In many traditional pubs, it is common for regulars to have their own regular spot.
Setz dich bitte nicht dorthin, das ist der Stammplatz von Herrn Meier.
Please don't sit there; that's Mr. Meier's regular spot.
place / space
'der Platz' and 'der Stammplatz' can both mean a particular spot, for example a seat. 'der Platz' is general: it can be free, reserved, or simply intended for someone. 'der Stammplatz' is more specific. It is the spot someone uses regularly, for example always the same table in a café or the same seat in a theater. In sports, 'Stammplatz' also means a fixed position in the team. The words can be confused because a 'Stammplatz' is also a 'Platz'. But 'Stammplatz' emphasizes habit or a fixed role.
Am Morgen war ihr Stammplatz im Bus schon besetzt.
In the morning, her regular spot on the bus was already taken.
Die Kundin findet im Wartezimmer noch einen freien Platz.
The customer still finds a free seat in the waiting room.