das
Elfmeterschießen
⚽ What Exactly is das Elfmeterschießen?
Das Elfmeterschießen is the German term for a penalty shootout in soccer (and some other sports like hockey or water polo). It's a method used to determine a winner when a match is tied after regular playing time and any extra time.
Players from both teams take turns executing a penalty kick (Elfmeter) from the penalty mark (eleven meters away). The goal is to score more goals than the opponent. It's often a very nerve-wracking and exciting moment in a game.
Because it's a nominalized infinitive (schießen 'to shoot' becomes das Schießen 'the shooting'), combined with Elfmeter, the article is always das (neuter).
Article rules for der, die, and das
Deverbal nouns → immer neutral.
These are nouns derived from verbs. They are also called Verbalsubstantive or Verbalnomen.
Deverbal nouns → immer neutral.
These are nouns derived from verbs. They are also called Verbalsubstantive or Verbalnomen.
Grammar Focus: Declining das Elfmeterschießen
The word "Elfmeterschießen" is a noun of neuter gender (sächlich). It's formed from "Elfmeter" (penalty kick) and the nominalized verb "Schießen" (shooting). Nominalized infinitives in German are always neuter.
It's mostly used in the singular. The plural ("die Elfmeterschießen") is grammatically possible but rarely used; people usually talk about "mehrere Elfmeterschießen" (several penalty shootouts).
Singular Declension
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das | Elfmeterschießen |
| Genitive | des | Elfmeterschießens |
| Dative | dem | Elfmeterschießen |
| Accusative | das | Elfmeterschießen |
Example Sentences
- Das Spiel wurde durch ein spannendes Elfmeterschießen entschieden.
(The game was decided by an exciting penalty shootout.) - Der Torwart hielt drei Bälle während des Elfmeterschießens.
(The goalkeeper saved three shots during the penalty shootout.) - Nach dem Elfmeterschießen feierte die Siegermannschaft ausgelassen.
(After the penalty shootout, the winning team celebrated exuberantly.) - Wir mussten uns das dramatische Elfmeterschießen bis zum Schluss ansehen.
(We had to watch the dramatic penalty shootout until the very end.)
Usage: When the Game Goes to Penalties
Das Elfmeterschießen is a standard term in sports, mainly soccer.
- Context: It's used exclusively to determine the winner of a knockout match when the score is tied after regular time and extra time.
- Atmosphere: The word evokes images of high tension, nervousness, and dramatic decisions. Players become heroes or tragic figures.
- Distinction: It shouldn't be confused with a single Elfmeter or Strafstoß (penalty kick), which might be awarded during the normal course of play as a punishment for a foul inside the penalty area. Das Elfmeterschießen is the series of kicks after the match has ended.
- Alternative terms: Colloquially, Germans might also refer to it as "Elfmeterkrimi" (penalty thriller) or use the English loanword "Penaltyschießen".
Memorization Tricks for das Elfmeterschießen
Article Mnemonic: Think of neutral concepts associated with the end of a game: das Spiel (the game), das Ende (the end), das Drama -> das Elfmeterschießen. Remember that nominalized verbs like das Schießen are always neuter (das).
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine: Eleven meters (Elf Meter) distance, and then shooting (Schießen) – again and again, until someone wins. That's das Elfmeterschießen.
Synonyms, Antonyms & Similar Terms
Synonyms
- Penaltyschießen: A commonly used synonym, borrowed from English ('penalty shooting').
- Entscheidung vom Punkt: A descriptive phrase meaning 'decision from the spot'.
- Elfmeterkrimi: Colloquial, emphasizing the tension ('penalty thriller').
- Strafstoßschießen: Less common, but technically correct ('penalty kick shooting').
Antonyms
Direct antonyms don't really exist, as it's a specific procedure. However, the following could be considered opposites in context:
- Entscheidung in der regulären Spielzeit/Verlängerung: 'Decision in regular time/extra time' (the game is decided without a shootout).
- Unentschieden (im Ligasystem): 'Draw/tie (in a league system)' (in league matches, there's often no shootout; the game ends as a draw).
Potentially Confusing Terms
A Little Soccer Joke 😄
German: Warum sind Elfmeterschießen wie Matheprüfungen?
Antwort: Weil am Ende oft die Nerven entscheiden und nicht nur das Können!
English Translation: Why are penalty shootouts like math exams?
Answer: Because in the end, nerves often decide the outcome, not just skill!
Penalty Drama in Verse 🥅
German:
Das Spiel ist aus, die Zeit verrinnt,
Gleichstand herrscht, kein Team gewinnt.
Verlängert auch, kein Tor mehr fiel,
Jetzt naht das nervenaufreibende Spiel.
Das Elfmeterschießen, kalt und heiß,
Der Schütze zielt, der Schweiß fließt leis.
Der Ball fliegt los, ein kurzer Schreck,
Gehalten? Tor? Das ist der Zweck!
Fünf Schuss pro Team, dann ist es klar,
Wer Held wird heut', wer ist der Star.
Vom Punkt die Entscheidung, hart und rein,
So muss ein Fußball-Krimi sein.
English Translation:
The game is done, the time has passed,
A level score, no winner cast.
Extra time too, no goal appeared,
Now comes the game so widely feared.
The penalty shootout, cold and hot,
The kicker aims, sweat drips a dot.
The ball takes flight, a moment's dread,
Saved? Goal? The purpose widespread!
Five kicks per team, then clarity,
Who'll be the hero, who'll it be.
From the spot the verdict, harsh and clean,
Such must a soccer thriller scene.
What Am I? 🤔
German:
Ich komme erst, wenn keiner siegt,
Nachdem der Ball lang hin und her fliegt.
Elf Meter sind's bis zu dem Schuss,
Ich bring' die Entscheidung, Freud' oder Verdruss.
Mannschaft gegen Mannschaft, Schuss um Schuss im Nu,
Wie heißt dies spannende Prozedere, sag du?
English Translation:
I only come when no one's won,
After the ball has long back-and-forth run.
Eleven meters to the kick so grand,
I bring the decision, joy or reprimand.
Team against team, shot after shot anew,
What is this thrilling procedure called, tell true?
Answer: Das Elfmeterschießen (The penalty shootout)
More About the Word 🧐
Word Composition:
The word "Elfmeterschießen" is a compound noun, made up of:
- Elfmeter: Meaning 'penalty kick', literally 'eleven meter'. This name comes from the fact that the distance was originally paced out and approximated eleven meters.
- Schießen: The nominalized infinitive of the verb "schießen" (to shoot), meaning 'shooting'.
Together, it means: the shooting of penalty kicks (as a decision-making procedure).
Trivia:
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Elfmeterschießen?
The word "Elfmeterschießen" is neuter because it's a nominalized infinitive ("das Schießen"). Therefore, the correct article is always das Elfmeterschießen.