das  Halbfinale

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/halbfiˈnaːlə/

🏆 What does "Halbfinale" mean?

The German word das Halbfinale means the semifinal. It refers to the penultimate round in a competition or tournament, especially in sports. It's the round just before the final (das Finale), where the participants who will compete for the victory are determined.

It only uses the article das (neuter), which makes its grammar straightforward. The word is composed of "halb" (half) and "Finale" (final).

🚨 Be careful: Don't confuse it with das Viertelfinale (quarterfinal, the round before) or das Finale (the final, the round after).

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Das Halbfinale

"Halbfinale" is a noun of neuter gender (sächlich). Here is its declension:

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

The plural form is "die Halbfinalspiele", "die Halbfinals" or "die Halbfinale". The form "die Halbfinals" is very common, while "die Halbfinale" is less frequent.

Example Sentences 📋

• Deutschland hat das Halbfinale erreicht. (Germany has reached the semifinal.)
• Wir schauen uns das Halbfinale im Fernsehen an. (We are watching the semifinal on TV.)
• Der Sieger des Halbfinales zieht ins Finale ein. (The winner of the semifinal moves on to the final.)
• In den Halbfinals gab es spannende Spiele. (There were exciting matches in the semifinals.)

💡 How to Use "Halbfinale"?

"Das Halbfinale" is almost exclusively used in the context of competitions featuring knockout rounds. These can include:

• Sporting events: Football/Soccer (World Cup, European Championship, Champions League), tennis, handball, basketball, etc.
• Tournaments: Cup competitions, championships.
• Other competitions: Sometimes also used for singing contests or similar formats.

It always describes the round where the last four participants or teams compete against each other to determine the two finalists. The losers of the Halbfinale sometimes play against each other in a "match for third place" (Spiel um Platz 3).

Example: "Nach einem dramatischen Sieg im Viertelfinale steht die Mannschaft nun im Halbfinale." (After a dramatic victory in the quarterfinal, the team is now in the semifinal.)

🧠 Memory Aids & Mnemonics

🔄 Similar and Opposing Words

⚠️ Caution: Do not confuse Halbfinale with Halbzeit (halftime, the break in the middle of a match).

😄 A Little Fun

Fragt der Trainer seine Mannschaft vor dem Halbfinale: "Männer, seid ihr nervös?"
Antwortet der Kapitän: "Nein, Trainer, nur halb! Die andere Hälfte kommt dann im Finale!"

Translation:

The coach asks his team before the semifinal: "Men, are you nervous?"
The captain replies: "No, coach, only half! The other half will come in the final!" (Playing on "halb" meaning half).

🎤 The Semifinal in Rhyme

Vier Teams noch da, die Spannung steigt,
Wer ins Finale weiterreicht?
Das Halbfinale, heiß umkämpft,
Der Traum vom Titel wird gedämpft –

Für zwei, die heute unterliegen,
Doch zwei, die bald im Endspiel siegen?
Ein Schritt noch, dann ist es geschafft,
Das fordert Mut und höchste Kraft!

Translation:

Four teams remain, the tension's high,
Who'll reach the final, touching sky?
The semifinal, fiercely fought,
The dream of title, dearly sought –

For two, who'll face defeat today,
But two, who'll win the final fray?
One step to go, then it is done,
Needs courage, strength, for victory won!

🕵️ Who am I? A Riddle

Ich bin eine Runde, doch nicht ganz rund.
Ich komme vor dem großen Fund (dem Pokal!).
Vier kämpfen hier, doch nur zwei gehen weiter,
Für die Verlierer wird's nicht heiter.
Ich liege zwischen Viertel und dem Schluss.
Wie heißt die Runde, die man sehen muss?

Translation:

I am a round, but not quite whole.
I come before the biggest goal (the cup!).
Four fight here, but only two proceed,
For losers, there's no joy indeed.
I lie between the quarter and the end.
What is this round you must attend?

Solution: Das Halbfinale (The Semifinal)

📌 More to Know

Word Composition:

The word "Halbfinale" is a compound noun (Kompositum), composed of:

• halb: Adjective meaning "half".
• das Finale: Noun meaning "final" or "final round".

So, it literally describes the round that is "halfway" before the final, or the round where the number of participants is halved before the final takes place (from four to two).