das  Einzel

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaɪntsəl/

🎯 What exactly is "das Einzel"?

The noun das Einzel is a nominalization (substantivization) of the adjective einzeln (single, individual) and usually refers to something intended for a single person or thing, or something that takes place alone. It's mainly used in specific contexts:

• 🥇 In Sports: It denotes a competition where individuals compete against each other (as opposed to *Doppel* (doubles) or *Mannschaftswettbewerb* (team competition)). Examples: Tennis-Einzel (tennis singles), Tischtennis-Einzel (table tennis singles), Eiskunstlauf-Einzel (figure skating singles).
• 🏨 In Hotels (less common): It can be used as a short form for an Einzelzimmer (single room), although "Einzelzimmer" is more common.
• 🛍️ In Retail (very rare): It might refer to a single piece or item, but "Einzelstück" (single item/piece, unique item) is more usual here.

🚨 Important: "Das Einzel" as a standalone noun is less common than the adjective/adverb "einzeln" (single, individual, individually) or compound words like "Einzelkind" (only child), "Einzelhandel" (retail), "Einzelzimmer" (single room), "Einzelkämpfer" (lone fighter).

🧐 Grammar of "das Einzel"

"Das Einzel" is a nominalized adjective and therefore follows the declension of adjectives used as nouns. It is neuter (*sächlich*) and mostly used only in the singular. The plural is very uncommon and often replaced by other phrases (e.g., die Einzelwettbewerbe - *the singles competitions*).

Example Sentences

1. Im Tennis bevorzuge ich das Einzel gegenüber dem Doppel.
   (In tennis, I prefer the singles over the doubles.)
2. Sie gewann die Goldmedaille im Einzel.
   (She won the gold medal in the singles.)
3. Haben Sie noch ein Einzel frei? (Short for Einzelzimmer, rather informal)
   (Do you still have a single [room] available?)

💡 How to use "das Einzel"?

The use of das Einzel is concentrated in specific areas:

• Sports: This is where the term is most common. It clearly distinguishes the competition from *Doppel* (doubles), *Mixed* (mixed doubles), or *Mannschaftswettbewerb* (team competition). Example: "Beim nächsten Turnier spiele ich nur das Einzel." (At the next tournament, I'm only playing singles.)
• Accommodation: Occasionally used as a brief way to ask for a single room. Example: "Ich hätte gern ein Einzel für eine Nacht." (I'd like a single for one night.) (More formal and clearer: "Einzelzimmer")

Distinction from similar words:

• einzeln (adjective/adverb): Describes something as 'alone', 'separate', or 'individual'. Example: "Jeder Gast erhält ein einzelnes Handtuch." (Each guest receives a single towel.) vs. "Ich spiele das Einzel." (I play singles.) (Noun)
• Einzelstück (das): A unique item or a single piece sold individually. Example: "Diese Vase ist ein Einzelstück." (This vase is a unique piece.)
• Einzelheit (die): A detail. Example: "Er erklärte alle Einzelheiten des Plans." (He explained all the details of the plan.)

In general, it's advisable to use "das Einzel" primarily in the sports context or when the context (e.g., hotel reception) clearly implies the meaning "single room". In other cases, more precise words like "Einzelstück", "Einzelperson" (single person), or the adjective "einzeln" are often better choices.

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Einzel"

Article Mnemonic (das): Think of das Sportereignis (the sports event) or das Rennen (the race). Many sports disciplines in German are neuter. Even though "Einzel" comes from "einzeln", think of das singular event -> das Einzel.

Meaning Mnemonic (Single/Alone): "Einzel" sounds a bit like the English "aims hell" - maybe in a singles competition, each player aims like hell to win alone? Or think: you are single / einzeln in your hotel room -> das Einzel.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but different words:

• einzeln (adjective/adverb): individual, separate (e.g., einzelne Teile - individual parts)
• Einzelheit (die): detail (e.g., in allen Einzelheiten - in full detail)
• Einzelhandel (der): retail

😂 A Little Joke

Warum spielt der Faden nie im Tennis-Einzel?

Weil er immer nur im Doppelpack mit der Nadel kommt! 😉

(Why does the thread never play tennis singles? Because it always comes as a double act with the needle!)

📜 Poem about Einzel

Allein auf weiter Flur,
im Wettkampf, der Spur.
Nicht im Team, nicht zu zweit,
das Einzel macht sich breit.

Ein Schläger, Ball und Netz,
ein Läufer schnell im Hetz.
Ein Zimmer nur für mich,
das Einzel, sicherlich.

(Alone on the wide court,
in competition, the sort.
Not in a team, not in a pair,
the singles makes its lair.)

(A racket, ball, and net,
a runner fast, you bet.
A room just meant for me,
the single, certainly.)

❓ Riddle Time

Im Sport bin ich allein,
im Hotel kann's auch so sein.
Ich bin kein Paar, kein Team, kein Bund,
im Wettkampf tu ich meine Leistung kund.

Was bin ich?

Lösung: das Einzel

(In sports, I am alone,
In a hotel, it can also be known.
I'm not a pair, no team, no tie,
In competition, my performance is high.)

(What am I?)

(Solution: das Einzel / the singles / the single room)

ℹ️ More Tidbits

Word Formation (Wortbildung):

"Das Einzel" is a classic example of nominalization (*Substantivierung*) in the German language. The adjective "einzeln" (meaning *single, individual*) is turned into a noun by adding an article ("das") and capitalizing it. This often happens with adjectives to express a concept or a specific instance of what the adjective describes.

Interestingly, the nominalized adjective often takes the gender it would have if it referred to a noun of that gender. Here, it's neuter ("das"), possibly hinting at a neutral concept like "das Ereignis" (*the event*), "das Spiel" (*the game*), or "das Zimmer" (*the room*), even though the person participating or staying might be male or female.