das  Billard

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/biˈjaʁ/

🎱 What exactly is "das Billard"?

Das Billard (pronounced: [bɪlˈjaʁt]) in German primarily refers to two things:

1. The game itself: A precision sport where balls (Kugeln) are struck with a cue stick (Queue) on a special table (dem Billardtisch) according to specific rules. There are various versions like pool billiards (Poolbillard), snooker, or carom billiards (Karambolage).
2. The billiard table: The special table on which the game of billiards is played. It is usually covered with green cloth (Tuch) and, depending on the game variant, may or may not have pockets (Taschen or Löcher).

It is a neuter noun, so it's always das Billard.

🚨 Caution: Sometimes, colloquially, a billiard hall or café is shortened to "Billard" (e.g., "Wir gehen ins Billard" - We're going to the billiards), but this refers to the place, not the game or the table itself.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Declension of Billard

The noun "Billard" is neuter (Neutrum) and is declined as follows. It is often used without an article when talking about the game in general ("Ich spiele gern Billard" - I like playing billiards), but with an article when referring to a specific table or game.

Singular

Plural

The plural "die Billards" is rarely used. Usually, people refer to "Billardtischen" (billiard tables) or "Billardspielen" (billiard games). When the plural is used, it mostly refers to multiple billiard tables.

💡 Example Sentences

• Wir spielen heute Abend Billard. (We are playing billiards tonight. - game in general)
• Das Billard in dieser Bar ist neu. (The billiard table in this bar is new. - specific table)
• Er erklärte mir die Regeln des Billards. (He explained the rules of billiards to me. - genitive, referring to the game)
• Kannst du mir beim Aufbau des Billards helfen? (Can you help me set up the billiard table? - genitive, referring to the table)

🗣️ How to Use "Billard"

"Billard" is mainly used in the context of games and leisure (Spiel und Freizeit).

• Billard spielen: To play billiards. The most common usage. "Lass uns eine Runde Billard spielen." (Let's play a game of billiards.)
• Am Billard stehen/sitzen: To stand/sit at the billiard table. Refers to the table. "Sie standen den ganzen Abend am Billard." (They stood at the billiard table all evening.)
• Ein Billard aufstellen: To set up a billiard table. "Wir wollen im Keller ein Billard aufstellen." (We want to set up a billiard table in the basement.)
• Naming variations: Often the specific type is mentioned: Poolbillard (pool), Snooker, Karambolage (carom). "Ich spiele lieber Poolbillard als Snooker." (I prefer playing pool billiards over snooker.)

Compared to "Pool" or "Snooker", "Billard" is the generic term (Oberbegriff), but it can also be used synonymously for pool billiards in common speech.

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Billard"

Article Mnemonic: Think of das Spiel (the game). Many game names in German are neuter (das Schach - chess, das Golf - golf). Das Billard fits this pattern: It's das neutral gaming fun.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you need a lot of skill... a 'BILL'ion units of skill... and it's h'ARD! That's Billard! Or think of the *hard* 'ARD' sound at the end, like the *hard* crack of the balls hitting each other.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar, but Different Words

• Billet (das): Ticket (e.g., train ticket, admission ticket) (dated). Sounds similar but unrelated.
• Milliarde (die): Billion (1,000,000,000). Number word.

😂 A Little Billiard Joke

German: Fragt der eine Billardspieler den anderen: "Sag mal, warum spielst du eigentlich immer mit einem krummen Queue?" Antwortet der andere: "Damit kann ich besser um die Ecke denken!" 😉

English Translation: One billiard player asks the other: "Tell me, why do you always play with a crooked cue?" The other replies: "It helps me think outside the box!" (Literally: "It helps me think around the corner better!") 😉

✍️ Poem About the Game

German:
Auf grünem Tuch, die Kugeln bunt,
ein Stoß, er geht gekonnt,
das Queue geführt mit ruhiger Hand,
das Billard zieht uns in den Bann.

Die Weiße trifft, es klackt so rein,
versenkt die Kugel, das muss sein.
Präzision und Augenmaß,
beim Billardspiel, da hat man Spaß.

English Translation:
On green cloth, the colored balls,
a shot, skillfully it falls,
the cue guided with a steady hand,
billiards holds us in its command.

The white ball hits, a clean click's sound,
sinks the ball, as must be found.
Precision and a measured gaze,
in billiards, fun fills the days.

❓ Riddle Time

German:
Ich habe einen Tisch, doch esse nicht daran.
Ich habe Kugeln, doch werfe sie nicht weit.
Ich habe Taschen, doch trage nichts darin.
Man braucht einen Stock, um mit mir zu spielen fein.

Was bin ich?

Lösung: Das Billard (oder der Billardtisch)

English Translation:
I have a table, but I don't eat at it.
I have balls, but I don't throw them far.
I have pockets, but I carry nothing in them.
You need a stick to play with me just right.

What am I?

Solution: Billiards (or the billiard table)

✨ More Fun Facts

• Word Origin: The word "Billard" comes from French. "Bille" means ball or small ball, and "art" could refer to an art or skill, or it might derive from "billart" (a bent piece of wood).
• Materials: High-quality billiard tables (Billardtische) have a heavy slate slab (Schieferplatte) under the cloth (Tuch) to ensure a perfectly flat playing surface. Billiard balls (Billardkugeln) are now mostly made of phenolic resin.
• Billiards as a Metaphor: Sometimes the "billiard effect" or "carom effect" (Karamboleffekt) is used metaphorically to describe a chain reaction or unexpected consequences of events.