das /
der
Match
🎯 What does "Match" mean? (das vs. der)
The word "Match" is a loanword from English and has two possible articles in German, signaling different, though related, meanings:
das Match (neuter)
- Main meaning: A sports contest, a game, or a fixture, especially in sports like tennis, football (soccer), boxing, etc.
- Example: Das Tennismatch war sehr spannend. (The tennis match was very exciting.)
der Match (masculine)
- Main meaning (rather colloquial): A good match, a great catch, often referring to people (a good partner) or a suitable opportunity/combination.
- Example: Er ist wirklich ein guter Match für sie. (He is really a good match for her.) / Das Jobangebot war ein echter Match. (The job offer was a real match.)
- ⚠️ This usage is less common and more informal than 'das Match'. In the context of relationships, people more often say "eine gute Partie sein" (to be a good catch) or use the English phrase "perfect match".
🧐 Grammar & Declension of Match
"Match" is a noun. Depending on the article, it's declined differently, although the forms are often identical.
Declension "das Match" (neuter)
| Case | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das Match | die Matches |
| Genitive | des Matches | der Matches |
| Dative | dem Match | den Matches |
| Accusative | das Match | die Matches |
Declension "der Match" (masculine)
| Case | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der Match | die Matches |
| Genitive | des Matches | der Matches |
| Dative | dem Match | den Matches |
| Accusative | den Match | die Matches |
🚨 Note: The accusative singular differs: das Match vs. den Match.
Example Sentences
- Das Match (contest): Das Fußballmatch endete unentschieden. (The football match ended in a draw.) Wir haben Tickets für das Boxmatch gekauft. (We bought tickets for the boxing match.)
- Der Match (good pairing): Sie fand, er sei nicht der richtige Match für ihre Freundin. (She thought he wasn't the right match for her friend.) Manchmal ist ein alter Job doch der bessere Match. (Sometimes an old job is actually the better match.)
💡 How to use "Match"?
The choice of article strongly depends on the context:
- das Match: Standard usage for sports contests or games. It is by far the more common and established form.
- Context: Sports reporting, talking about sports results, planning to attend games.
- Examples: Eishockeymatch (ice hockey match), Schachmatch (chess match), das entscheidende Match (the deciding match).
- der Match: Rather colloquial or in specific contexts when meaning a 'good fit' or 'suitable choice'. Often refers to people or opportunities.
- Context: Informal conversations about relationships, job hunting, suitable combinations.
- Comparison: Similar to "gute Partie" (good catch), "Volltreffer" (bullseye, stroke of luck), "Glücksgriff" (lucky find). Sometimes used ironically.
Generally: When in doubt or in a formal context, das Match is the safer choice for a contest. The use of der Match is less widespread and can sometimes be perceived as an anglicism or somewhat slangy.
🧠 Mnemonics for Match
For the article:
Think of das Spiel (neuter, meaning 'the game') -> das Match (in sports). Think of der Kerl / der Typ (masculine, meaning 'the guy') -> der Match (as a good pairing, often a person).
For the meaning:
A sports Match often involves action -> das Match. Is someone der right one? ('der' sounds a bit like 'the' right one) -> der Match (as a suitable person/thing).
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms for "das Match" (contest):
- Wettkampf (competition)
- Spiel (game)
- Partie (game, match)
- Begegnung (encounter, fixture)
- Auseinandersetzung (clash, confrontation)
- Turnier (tournament, depending on context)
Synonyms for "der Match" (good pairing):
- Gute Partie (good catch)
- Volltreffer (bullseye, jackpot)
- Glücksgriff (lucky find)
- Passende Wahl (suitable choice)
- (less common) Treffer (hit)
Antonyms for "das Match" (contest):
- (No direct antonym, rather contrasting outcomes:) Niederlage (defeat), Unentschieden (draw), Aufgabe (giving up)
Antonyms for "der Match" (good pairing):
Similar words:
- Mattscheibe: (Colloquial for television screen or a state of mental blankness) - sounds similar, but completely different meaning.
😄 A Little Joke
Warum spielen Skelette kein Fußballmatch?
... Weil sie keine Körper haben, um den Ball zu decken!
(Why don't skeletons play football matches?
... Because they have no body to cover the ball!)
📜 Poem about Match
Das Match
Im Stadion Lärm, die Menge bebt,
Ein wichtiges Match wird heut' erlebt.
Der Ball fliegt schnell, von Fuß zu Fuß,
Ein Tor! Ein Jubel! Süßer Gruß!
(The Match
In the stadium noise, the crowd shakes,
An important match is experienced today.
The ball flies fast, from foot to foot,
A goal! A cheer! Sweet salute!)
Der Match
Man sucht im Leben, hofft und schaut,
Ob man den Partner sich vertraut.
Ist er es wert, ist sie die Richt'ge?
Ist dieser Mensch der große, wicht'ge Match?
(The Match (Pairing)
One searches in life, hopes and looks,
Whether one trusts the partner.
Is he worth it, is she the right one?
Is this person the great, important match?)
❓ Riddle
Ich habe Regeln, oft 'nen Ball,
Zwei Seiten kämpfen überall.
Mal bin ich 'das', im Sport bekannt,
Mal 'der', wenn jemand gut erkannt
Als Partner oder Glücksgeschick.
Was bin ich wohl, mit einem Klick?
(I have rules, often a ball,
Two sides fight all over.
Sometimes I'm 'das', known in sports,
Sometimes 'der', when someone is recognized well
As a partner or stroke of luck.
What am I, with a click?)
Solution: Das/Der Match
🌐 Other Information
Word Origin: The word "Match" comes directly from English, where "match" can mean a contest, an agreement/pair, or a matchstick. The German meaning focuses on contest and (less commonly) agreement/good pairing.
Compounds: "Match" is often used in compound words to specify the type of sport or context:
- Fußballmatch (football match)
- Tennismatch (tennis match)
- Boxmatch (boxing match)
- Testmatch (test match, often in cricket/rugby)
- Matchball (match point)
- Matchwinner (match winner, the player securing victory)
📝 Summary: is it der or das Match?
"Match" can be neuter (das Match) or masculine (der Match). 'Das Match' refers to a sports contest or game and is the most common form. 'Der Match' is more colloquial and denotes a good pairing or suitable choice, often referring to people or opportunities.