das
Eigentor
⚽ What exactly is an 'Eigentor'?
The word das Eigentor (noun, neuter) has two main meanings:
- In Sports (literal): An own goal, meaning a goal scored by a player into their own team's goal, thus benefiting the opposing team. This usually happens unintentionally. 🥅
- Figuratively: An action, statement, or decision that unintentionally turns out to be disadvantageous to oneself. So, you harm yourself, even though you might have intended something good. 🤦♀️🤦♂️
⚠️ It's important to consider the context to understand whether the literal or figurative meaning is intended.
🧐 Grammar of 'das Eigentor' in Detail
The noun "Eigentor" is neuter and takes the article das. It declines as follows:
Declension Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | das | Eigentor |
| Genitive (Whose?) | des | Eigentor(e)s |
| Dative (To whom?) | dem | Eigentor(e) |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | das | Eigentor |
Declension Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Eigentore |
| Genitive | der | Eigentore |
| Dative | den | Eigentoren |
| Accusative | die | Eigentore |
Example Sentences
- Wörtlich: Der Verteidiger schoss ein unglückliches Eigentor. (Literal: The defender scored an unfortunate own goal.)
- Wörtlich: Im Finale gab es gleich zwei Eigentore. (Literal: There were two own goals in the final.)
- Übertragen: Seine unüberlegte Aussage war ein echtes Eigentor in der Debatte. (Figurative: His thoughtless statement was a real own goal in the debate.)
- Übertragen: Mit dieser Entscheidung hat sich die Firma ein klassisches Eigentor geschossen. (Figurative: With this decision, the company scored a classic own goal against itself.)
💡 How to Use 'das Eigentor'?
The usage of das Eigentor is quite clearly divided between its two meanings:
- Sporting Context: Here, it's a commonly used technical term in football (soccer), handball, hockey, etc. It always describes the mishap of putting the ball/puck into one's own goal. You often hear phrases like "ein Eigentor schießen" (to score an own goal) or "ein Eigentor kassieren" (to concede an own goal, from the perspective of the benefiting team).
- Figurative Context: This meaning is very common in everyday language, media, politics, and business. It's used to describe actions that backfire and harm the originator. It carries a negative connotation and often implies clumsiness, lack of foresight, or situational irony. People often talk about "sich ein Eigentor schießen" (literally: to shoot oneself an own goal, meaning to score an own goal against oneself).
Comparison: In the figurative sense, it's similar to expressions like "to shoot oneself in the foot" or "to backfire", although "Eigentor" often emphasizes the aspect of unintentional self-harm more strongly.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Mnemonic for the Article (das):
Think of das Tor 🥅 (the goal). An Eigentor is just a special type of goal, so it stays neuter: das Eigentor.
Mnemonic for the Meaning:
Eigen means 'own'. If you score into your own Tor (goal), it's bad for you – an Eigentor! This works for both the literal own goal and the figurative self-sabotage.
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Selbsttor (rarer, only literal in sports)
- Figurative: Fehltritt (blunder), Fauxpas, Schnitzer (blooper, mistake), Bock (blunder), Schuss in den Ofen (dud, failure, lit. shot into the oven), Bärendienst (disservice, lit. bear's service), Rohrkrepierer (damp squib, failure, lit. barrel burster) (depending on context and nuance)
Similar but misleading words: There are no direct words that are easily confused, but the context determines whether the literal or figurative meaning is intended.
😂 A Little Joke
German: Fragt der Trainer den Verteidiger nach dem Spiel: "Sag mal, warum hast du heute eigentlich ein Eigentor geschossen?"
Antwortet der Verteidiger: "Trainer, der Ball kam so perfekt auf mich zu, den konnte ich mir einfach nicht entgehen lassen!"
English Translation: The coach asks the defender after the game: "Tell me, why did you score an own goal today?"
The defender replies: "Coach, the ball came towards me so perfectly, I just couldn't let it pass me by!"
📜 A Poem about the 'Eigentor'
German:
Der Ball fliegt hoch, ein klarer Plan,
doch ach, er nimmt 'ne falsche Bahn.
Ins eigne Netz, oh Schreck, oh Graus,
das Spiel nimmt einen neuen Lauf.
Auch im Gespräch, ein Wort gesagt,
das unbeabsichtigt Pläne zagt.
Ein Eigentor, man schaut betreten,
man hat sich selbst ins Abseits treten.
English Translation:
The ball flies high, a clear plan laid,
But oh, a wrong trajectory made.
Into the own net, oh dread, oh fright,
The game now takes a different light.
In conversation, too, a word,
That unintentionally plans deterred.
An own goal scored, a sheepish look,
One put oneself upon the hook.
❓ Little Riddle
German:
Ich zähle für den Gegner gut,
obwohl ich tat's mit eignem Mut (oder Fuß).
Auch wer sich ungeschickt verhält,
hat mich im übertragenen Sinn bestellt.
Was bin ich?
English Translation:
I count well for the opponent's side,
Although with my own courage (or foot) I tried.
Also, he who acts without much skill,
Has ordered me figuratively, against his will.
What am I? (Answer: das Eigentor / an own goal)
📌 Other Information
Word Composition:
The word "Eigentor" is a compound noun, composed of:
- eigen: Adjective meaning 'own', 'belonging to oneself'
- Tor: Noun (das Tor), meaning 'goal' in sports or also 'gate'/'gateway'.
Together, it literally means "own goal", which accurately reflects the meaning.
Trivia:
Arguably the most infamous Eigentor in football (soccer) history was scored by Colombian player Andrés Escobar during the 1994 World Cup against the USA. Tragically, he was murdered shortly after returning to his home country, an event often linked to this own goal.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Eigentor?
The word "Eigentor" is always neuter, so the correct article is das Eigentor. It describes both scoring into your own net in sports and an action that backfires to one's own disadvantage.