das  Nachspiel

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈnaːxˌʃpiːl/

📖 What does "das Nachspiel" mean?

The German word das Nachspiel has several meanings, often depending on the context:

• Aftermath / Consequences: This is the most common meaning. It refers to the (usually unpleasant) consequences or repercussions of an action or event. Example: Sein Leichtsinn hatte ein teures Nachspiel. (His recklessness had expensive consequences.) 😟
• Extra Time / Stoppage Time (Sports): In sports, especially football (soccer), das Nachspiel refers to the additional playing time added at the end of a half or match to compensate for interruptions. ⚽
• Postlude (Music / Theatre): In music or theatre, das Nachspiel is a concluding piece or scene after the main part. 🎶🎭

⚠️ Pay attention to the context to understand the correct meaning. The connotation for "consequences" is often negative.

🧐 Grammar in Detail: das Nachspiel

Nachspiel is a neuter noun. The article is das. Here is its declension:

📝 Example Sentences

1. (Consequences) Das unüberlegte Handeln hatte ein gerichtliches Nachspiel.
   (The ill-considered action had legal consequences.)
2. (Sports) Der Schiedsrichter ließ drei Minuten Nachspiel anzeigen.
   (The referee indicated three minutes of stoppage time.)
3. (Music) Nach dem Konzert gab es noch ein kurzes instrumentales Nachspiel.
   (After the concert, there was a short instrumental postlude.)

💡 How to use "das Nachspiel" correctly

The usage of das Nachspiel strongly depends on the intended meaning:

• As aftermath/consequences: It's often used in serious contexts when an action has negative repercussions. These can be legal, financial, or personal consequences. It's often stronger than just die Folge (consequence) and implies something undesirable or complicated.
  • Typical collocations: ein gerichtliches Nachspiel (legal repercussions), ein teures Nachspiel (expensive consequences), ein böses Nachspiel haben (to have nasty consequences).
• In sports: Clearly refers to stoppage time or injury time. The term die Verlängerung is used for extra time played when the score is tied after regular time, whereas das Nachspiel (or more commonly die Nachspielzeit) is the time added due to interruptions.
• In music/theatre: Denotes a concluding element, often quieter or more reflective after the main work. Comparable to an epilogue in literature.

Potential confusion: Don't confuse it with das Vorspiel (prelude, foreplay) or simply das Spiel (game, play).

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Nachspiel"

Here are a few memory aids:

• For the article 'das': Think of 'das' abstract result (das Resultat) or 'das' end of a game. Neuter concepts are often 'das'. Or imagine saying ironically: Das ist ja ein schönes Nachspiel! (That's a fine mess!).
• For the meanings: Imagine a sequence: First comes the Spiel (action, game, play), then NACH (afterwards) comes the result/consequence/conclusion → das Nach-Spiel. Whether it's the consequence, the extra time, or the final piece of music, it comes after the main event.

"After the Spiel, the joy or dread,
Comes das Nachspiel, it's ahead.
Be it penalty, extra time, or encore's call,
Das Nachspiel answers after all."

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms of Nachspiel

😄 A Little Joke

Richter zum Angeklagten: "Sie wissen, dass Ihre Aussage ein gerichtliches Nachspiel haben kann?"
Angeklagter: "Ja, Herr Richter, aber hoffentlich erst nach dem Abpfiff!"

Translation:
Judge to the defendant: "You know that your testimony can have legal consequences (Nachspiel)?"
Defendant: "Yes, Your Honor, but hopefully only after the final whistle!" ⚽👨‍⚖️

✒️ Poem about das Nachspiel

Die Tat getan, das Spiel gespielt,
Was nun folgt, ist oft gekühlt.
Ein Echo hallt, mal laut, mal leise,
Das Nachspiel tritt auf seine Weise.

Im Stadion die Uhr verrinnt,
Ein Pfiff ertönt, die Zeit beginnt.
Minuten extra, heiß umkämpft,
Das Nachspiel, das den Sieger dämpft.

Translation:
The deed is done, the game is played,
What follows now, is often stayed (cooled).
An echo sounds, sometimes loud, sometimes low,
The aftermath (Nachspiel) appears, putting on its show.

In the stadium, the clock ticks on,
A whistle blows, the time's begun.
Minutes extra, fiercely fought,
The stoppage time (Nachspiel), lessons taught.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich komme, wenn das Meiste schon vorbei ist,
Bin mal 'ne Strafe, mal nur kurze Frist.
Mal kling ich nach, mal halt ich Bälle auf.
Was bin ich wohl, in diesem Lebenslauf?

Hint: I arrive when most is already over, / Sometimes a punishment, sometimes just brief cover. / Sometimes I resonate, sometimes I stop the balls. / What am I, in life's recurring calls?

Solution: das Nachspiel

🧩 Other Information

Word Origin

The word "Nachspiel" is composed of:

• Nach-: Prefix indicating a temporal sequence or coming after.
• Spiel: The noun "Spiel" in its broad sense (game in sports, play as an action, theatrical play, etc.).

So, the combination literally means something that comes "after the play/game".

Cultural Notes

The term Nachspiel is often used metaphorically in German to describe the longer-term consequences of political or social events.