das  Kugelstoßen

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈkuːɡəlˌʃtoːsən/

🏋️ What Exactly is Kugelstoßen?

Das Kugelstoßen is the German term for the athletic discipline known as the shot put. It involves 'pushing' (stoßen) a heavy metal ball (die Kugel) as far as possible from within a circle. Note that it's a 'push', not a 'throw'!

The word is a neuter noun (das), derived from the verb kugelstoßen (to put the shot). It only has this one meaning.

Article rules for der, die, and das

A Closer Look at Grammar: das Kugelstoßen

Das Kugelstoßen is a nominalized verb (a verb turned into a noun) and is therefore neuter (das). It's typically used only in the singular because it refers to the sport/discipline as a whole.

Declension Singular

Example Sentences

1. Das Kugelstoßen erfordert Kraft und Technik.
   (The shot put requires strength and technique.)
2. Er trainiert jeden Tag für das Kugelstoßen.
   (He trains every day for the shot put.)
3. Die Regeln des Kugelstoßens sind international festgelegt.
   (The rules of the shot put are set internationally.)
4. Sie widmet sich voll und ganz dem Kugelstoßen.
   (She dedicates herself completely to the shot put.)

How to Use "Kugelstoßen"?

The term das Kugelstoßen is used almost exclusively in the context of sports, especially Leichtathletik (track and field / athletics). It refers specifically to the shot put discipline.

• You talk about Kugelstoßen as a competitive event at the Olympics or other athletics meetings.
• It describes the action of putting the shot itself when meant as the sport (e.g., "Beim Kugelstoßen kommt es auf die Stoßtechnik an." - In shot put, the pushing technique is crucial.).
• In contrast to Werfen (throwing, used for discus, javelin), Stoßen (pushing/putting) emphasizes the specific movement originating from the shoulder.

Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: Think of das Sportereignis (the sports event) or das Event. Many events or generalized activities in German are neuter, like das Kugelstoßen.

Meaning Mnemonic: Visualize someone powerfully pushing (stoßen) a heavy sphere or ball (Kugel) – they don't throw it! Kugel (sphere) + stoßen (to push) = Kugelstoßen (shot put).

Related Terms: Similar Yet Different

Potential Confusion

Be careful not to confuse das Kugelstoßen (the discipline) with the verb kugelstoßen (the action of putting the shot) or the noun der Kugelstoßer / die Kugelstoßerin (the male/female shot putter).

A Little Chuckle

Warum sind Kugelstoßer so schlecht im Versteckspielen? Weil sie immer ihre Kugel dabei haben und die ist schwer zu verbergen! 😉
(Why are shot putters so bad at hide-and-seek? Because they always have their shot with them, and it's hard to hide! 😉)

Poetry of Power

Die Kugel schwer, aus Eisen blank,
Der Athlet tritt in den Ring, voll Drang.
Ein kurzer Anlauf, Drehung, Stoß,
Die Kugel fliegt – ein weites Los.
Das Kugelstoßen, Kraft und Schwung,
Ein Sport für Stark, für Alt und Jung.

(The shot so heavy, iron bright,
The athlete enters the ring, full of might.
A short approach, turn, and thrust,
The shot flies far – in it they trust.
The shot put, power and momentum's call,
A sport for the strong, for one and all.)

Who or What Am I?

Ich bin eine Sportart, doch kein Lauf.
Eine schwere Kugel nehm' ich auf.
Ich werfe nicht, ich stoße weit,
Bin Teil der Leichtathletik-Zeit.
Was bin ich?

(I am a sport, but not a race.
I pick up a heavy ball in its place.
I do not throw, I push it far,
Part of athletics, near and far.
What am I?)

Solution: Das Kugelstoßen (The Shot Put)

Interesting Facts about Kugelstoßen

• Olympic Discipline: Kugelstoßen has been part of the modern Olympic Games since 1896 (men) and 1948 (women).
• Word Composition: The word is composed of die Kugel (sphere, ball) and the verb stoßen (to push, thrust).
• Technique: There are different techniques, like the glide technique (O'Brien technique) and the spin technique. Crucially, the shot must be 'put' or 'pushed', not 'thrown' – meaning it must not leave contact with the neck/shoulder area during the pushing motion.