das
Gewinnspiel
🎲 What Exactly is a Gewinnspiel?
A Gewinnspiel (article: das) refers to an event, promotion, or game where participants have the chance to win prizes, either by luck or by completing a specific task (e.g., answering a question, submitting a photo). It's a form of raffle, sweepstake, or contest, often used for advertising purposes.
There's only one article for this word: das Gewinnspiel.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Ge- → mostly neutral.
Nouns beginning with Ge- are usually neutral, unless other rules apply. We do not list all Ge nouns.
🧐 Grammar Under the Microscope: Das Gewinnspiel
The word "Gewinnspiel" is a neuter noun (sächlich). Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das | Gewinnspiel |
| Genitive | des | Gewinnspiel(e)s |
| Dative | dem | Gewinnspiel |
| Accusative | das | Gewinnspiel |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Gewinnspiele |
| Genitive | der | Gewinnspiele |
| Dative | den | Gewinnspielen |
| Accusative | die | Gewinnspiele |
💡 Example Sentences
- Ich habe bei einem Gewinnspiel mitgemacht. (I participated in a competition.)
- Die Teilnahmebedingungen des Gewinnspiels waren kompliziert. (The terms and conditions of the competition were complicated.)
- Viele Firmen organisieren Gewinnspiele zur Kundengewinnung. (Many companies organize competitions/raffles for customer acquisition.)
- Sie hat bei mehreren Gewinnspielen Preise gewonnen. (She won prizes in several competitions.)
🎯 How to Use "Gewinnspiel"?
"Gewinnspiel" is commonly used in German, especially in the context of marketing, advertising, and leisure.
- Typical Contexts: Online promotions, magazines, radio/TV shows, events, trade fairs, supermarkets.
- Common Verbs: an einem Gewinnspiel teilnehmen (to participate in a competition), ein Gewinnspiel veranstalten/organisieren (to organize a competition), bei einem Gewinnspiel gewinnen (to win in a competition).
- Distinction: While "Wettbewerb" (competition) can also be based on skill or performance (e.g., sports competition), "Gewinnspiel" more often implies a strong element of chance or a very simple task. "Verlosung" (raffle, draw) exclusively emphasizes the aspect of chance.
🧠 Mnemonics to Help You Remember
For the article
das: Think of "das Spiel" (the game). A Gewinnspiel is a type of game, and Spiel is neuter. So:dasGewinnspiel.
For the meaning: Imagine you play (spielst) for a win/prize (Gewinn). Putting them together gives you the
Gewinnspiel!
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Verlosung: Raffle, draw (emphasizes pure chance).
- Preisausschreiben: Competition, contest (often involves a task, like answering a question).
- Wettbewerb: Competition (broader term, can be chance or skill-based).
- Tombola: Raffle, lottery (often at festivals or fairs).
⚠️ Note: Not every Spiel (game) is a Gewinnspiel (e.g., a board game without prizes), and not every Wettbewerb (competition) is a Gewinnspiel (e.g., a sports tournament).
😂 A Little Joke
Frage: Was ist der Unterschied zwischen einem Lottogewinn und einem Gewinnspiel-Gewinn?
Antwort: Beim Lottogewinn weißt du, dass du unwahrscheinlich viel Glück hattest. Beim Gewinnspiel-Gewinn weißt du, dass die Firma jetzt deine E-Mail-Adresse hat! 😉
Translation:
Question: What's the difference between winning the lottery and winning a prize draw/competition?
Answer: With a lottery win, you know you were incredibly lucky. With a competition win, you know the company now has your email address! 😉
✍️ Poem about the Gewinnspiel
Ein Klick, ein Los, ein Hoffnungsstrahl,
Das Gewinnspiel lockt, digital, real.
Man träumt vom Preis, vom großen Glück,
Sendet die Antwort schnell zurück.
Ob Auto, Reise oder Geld,
Die Spannung steigt, die Freude hält.
Am Ende zählt, ob man gewinnt,
Doch Spaß dabei man stets auch find't.
Translation:
A click, a ticket, a ray of hope,
The competition lures, digital, real scope.
One dreams of the prize, of great luck's gleam,
Sends the answer back quickly, it would seem.
Whether car, travel, or cash so bright,
Excitement builds, joy takes flight.
In the end, it matters if you win the day,
But fun along the way you'll always find, they say.
❓ Riddle Time
Ich locke mit Preisen, mal groß, mal klein,
Du musst nur teilnehmen, dann gehör'n sie vielleicht dein.
Mal braucht es Wissen, mal Glück allein,
Oft will der Veranstalter deine Daten fein.
Was bin ich?
... Das Gewinnspiel
Translation:
I lure with prizes, sometimes big, sometimes small,
You just need to enter, then they might be yours, after all.
Sometimes it takes knowledge, sometimes just luck's call,
Often the organizer wants your data, standing tall.
What am I?
... The competition / prize draw / raffle
🧩 Additional Info
Word Composition:
The word "Gewinnspiel" is a compound noun (Kompositum), composed of:
- Der Gewinn: The win, profit, prize - the reward one can receive.
- Das Spiel: The game, play - the activity or process of participation.
Legal Aspect: In Germany, Gewinnspiele are subject to specific legal regulations, particularly regarding the transparency of participation conditions and data protection (Datenschutz).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Gewinnspiel?
The word "Gewinnspiel" is always neuter. The correct article is das Gewinnspiel. There are no other articles or genders for this noun.