das  Hockey

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈhɔki/

🏒 What exactly is 'das Hockey'?

Das Hockey refers to a team sport played with sticks and a ball or puck. It's a loanword from English. In German, 'Hockey' often refers to the sport in general, but can be more specific depending on the context:

• Das Feldhockey: Field hockey, played on grass or artificial turf.
• Das Eishockey: Ice hockey, played on ice.

Although 'hockey' in English can encompass both field and ice hockey, in German, the more specific terms das Feldhockey or das Eishockey are often used to avoid misunderstandings. The article 'das' is typical for many loanwords from English, especially when there's no direct German equivalent with an established grammatical gender.

🚨 Attention: While das Hockey is correct, you might sometimes hear der Hockey in colloquial speech, influenced by der Sport (the sport). However, the standard form is das Hockey.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Das Hockey

The noun 'Hockey' is neuter (sächlich) and uses the article 'das'. It is mostly used only in the singular. If a plural is needed, it often refers to games or types of hockey (e.g., die Hockeyspiele - the hockey games).

Example Sentences

• Das Hockey ist ein schneller Sport.
  (Hockey is a fast sport.)
• Er interessiert sich sehr für das Hockey auf dem Eis.
  (He is very interested in ice hockey.)
• Während des Hockeys wurde viel gejubelt.
  (During the hockey game, there was a lot of cheering.)
• Sie spielt Hockey im Verein.
  (She plays hockey in a club. - Accusative without article)

📣 How 'das Hockey' is used

'Das Hockey' is used to refer to the sport in general. In everyday language, however, the more specific terms are often more common:

• Das Eishockey: Very popular in Germany, often in the context of professional leagues (DEL) or international tournaments.
• Das Feldhockey: Also common, especially in amateur sports and at the Olympic Games.

One talks about spielen (playing) hockey (Ich spiele Hockey. - I play hockey.) or schauen (watching) hockey (Wir schauen heute Abend Hockey im Fernsehen. - We are watching hockey on TV tonight.). The term can also be used metaphorically, but this is rare (e.g., regarding strategic action, which is more associated with chess).

Compared to other ball sports like Fußball (der - football/soccer) or Basketball (der), hockey takes the neuter article 'das'.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Hockey'

For the article 'das': Many English loanwords ending in '-y' describing an activity or thing are neuter: das Hobby, das Baby, das Handy... and also das Hockey. Think: 'Das is my hobby: Hockey!' - this helps twice! Or imagine a puck, 'das Thing', sliding across 'das Ice'. Neuter things often take 'das'.

For the meaning: Imagine saying 'Hock-key' like 'Lock-key'. You need 'das' key (the puck/ball) to unlock the goal!

🔄 Similar and Different: Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms (more specific):

• Das Eishockey: Ice hockey.
• Das Feldhockey: Field hockey.
• Stockballspiel (obsolete/rare): A more generic description for games involving a stick and a ball.

Antonyms:

As a sport, 'Hockey' doesn't have direct antonyms. One could mention sports that are fundamentally different (e.g., individual sports, water sports).

Similar-sounding but misleading words:

• Der Hocker: A stool (seat without a back). Sounds similar but means something completely different.

😄 A Little Hockey Joke

Warum spielen Skelette kein Hockey?

... Sie haben nicht genug Mumm dafür!

Translation:
Why don't skeletons play hockey?
... They don't have the guts (body/courage) for it! (Pun on 'Mumm' meaning both 'body mass/substance' and 'guts/courage')

✍️ Hockey in Verse

Auf Eis, auf Feld, so schnell, so flink,
Der Schläger schwingt, ein lauter Klink.
Das Hockey ruft, ein wildes Spiel,
Mit Puck und Ball zum Siegesziel.
Ein Team, ein Geist, ein fester Stand,
Mit Stock in Hand durchs weite Land (des Spielfelds).

Translation:
On ice, on field, so fast, so nimble,
The stick swings, a loud clink.
Hockey calls, a wild game,
With puck and ball towards the goal of victory.
One team, one spirit, a firm stance,
With stick in hand across the wide land (of the playing field).

❓ Little Riddle

Ich brauche Eis oder grünes Feld,
Ein Schläger führt mich durch die Welt.
Mal bin ich Scheibe, schwarz und klein,
Mal bin ich Ball, soll das Tor rein.
Man nennt mich oft mit 'das' beim Namen,
Welcher Sport bringt Teams zusammen?

Translation:
I need ice or a green field,
A stick guides me through the world.
Sometimes I'm a disk, black and small,
Sometimes I'm a ball, meant for the goal.
I'm often called with 'das' by name,
Which sport brings teams together in this game?

Solution: Das Hockey

💡 More Fun Facts

Word Origin: 'Hockey' comes from English. The exact etymology is unclear; it might derive from the Middle French word 'hoquet', meaning 'shepherd's crook' or 'bent stick'.

Popularity in Germany: Both Eishockey (especially through the DEL - Deutsche Eishockey Liga) and Feldhockey (Germany is traditionally very successful in World Championships and Olympic Games) are popular sports.