das  Hinspiel

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈhɪnʃpiːl/

⚽ What exactly is a Hinspiel?

The word das Hinspiel (neuter noun) refers, in a sports context, especially in competitions with a knockout system or two-legged ties, to the first of two matches between two teams or opponents. It typically takes place at the venue of one of the participants.

The opposite is the Rückspiel, which is the second match and usually takes place at the venue of the other participant.

Example: Im Champions-League-Halbfinale findet zuerst das Hinspiel in München statt, danach das Rückspiel in Madrid. (In the Champions League semi-final, the first leg takes place in Munich, followed by the second leg in Madrid.)

⚠️ There is only this one meaning with the article das.

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Das Hinspiel

Das Hinspiel is a noun of neuter gender (Neutrum). It is declined as follows:

Example Sentences

• Das Hinspiel endete mit einem Unentschieden. (The first leg ended in a draw.)
• Der Sieg im Hinspiel gibt uns eine gute Ausgangsposition für das Rückspiel. (The victory in the first leg gives us a good starting position for the second leg.)
• Wir müssen uns das Video vom Hinspiel noch einmal ansehen. (We need to watch the video of the first leg again.)
• Viele Fans reisen zu den Hinspielen ihrer Mannschaft. (Many fans travel to their team's first-leg matches.)

🗣️ How to Use 'das Hinspiel'

The term das Hinspiel is firmly established in sports jargon, especially in Fußball (soccer), Handball, Basketball, and other team sports where competitions (e.g., cup rounds, international tournaments) are decided over two games.

• Context: Mostly in reports about sporting events, discussions among fans, or tournament planning.
• Typical Phrases: "im Hinspiel gewinnen/verlieren/unentschieden spielen" (to win/lose/draw in the first leg), "das Ergebnis aus dem Hinspiel" (the result from the first leg), "eine gute Ausgangslage nach dem Hinspiel" (a good position after the first leg).
• Distinction: It's important to distinguish it from the Rückspiel (return leg/second leg), the second and often decisive game. The *Hinspiel* lays the foundation; the *Rückspiel* brings the decision.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic: Think of das Spiel (the game). The first game is also just a game, neuter, so it's das Hinspiel.

Meaning Mnemonic: The German prefix hin- often means 'towards' or implies the first part of a two-way action (like hingehen - to go there, vs. zurückkommen - to come back). So, the *Hinspiel* is the game 'going there', the first part, before the *Rückspiel* (return game).

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

Potentially Confusing Words?

You might encounter the word Vorspiel. However, this usually means 'prelude' (in music) or 'foreplay' (in a sexual context) and is not used to mean the first leg in sports.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Fußballer nie den Bus zum Hinspiel?
Weil sie lieber den ersten Zug machen! 😉

Translation: Why do soccer players never take the bus to the first leg?
Because they prefer to make the first move! (It's a pun: "den ersten Zug machen" means "to make the first move", and "Zug" also means "train").

📜 Poem about the Hinspiel

Das Stadion bebt, die Fans sind da,
fürs Hinspiel, wunderbar!
Der Anpfiff naht, die Spannung steigt,
wer heute wohl den Sieg ergeigt?
Es ist der erste Akt im Fight,
fürs Rückspiel hält man sich bereit.
Doch erst zählt nur das Hier und Jetzt,
auf dass das Netz zum Zappeln fetzt!

Translation:
The stadium roars, the fans appear,
for the first leg, wonderfully clear!
The whistle nears, the tension's high,
who will achieve victory nigh?
It is the first act in the fight,
for the return leg, they hold tight.
But first counts only here and now,
hoping the net will shake, somehow!

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin der erste Teil von zwei,
im Sport bin ich oft mit dabei.
Mein Bruder folgt, bringt die Entscheidung dann,
ich leg den Grundstein, fang alles an.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I am the first part of two,
In sports, I'm often there with you.
My brother follows, brings the final say,
I lay the groundwork, start the way.

What am I?

Solution: das Hinspiel (the first leg)

ℹ️ More Tidbits

Word Composition

The word Hinspiel is composed of:

• hin: A particle or prefix indicating direction 'towards' a place or goal.
• Spiel: Game, match, play.

Together, it signifies the 'game that leads towards something' (namely, the second leg and the final decision).

Cultural Relevance

In Fußball (soccer), the *Hinspiel* often carries significant tactical weight. Teams might strategically play for a favorable result away from home in the *Hinspiel* (e.g., a draw with goals scored) to leverage their home advantage in the *Rückspiel* (cf. the away goals rule, although partially abolished in some competitions).