das  Polo

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈpoːlo/

👕🏇 What does "das Polo" mean?

The German word "Polo" with the article "das" primarily has two meanings:

• The Sport: Das Polo refers to a team sport played on horseback with long mallets. The objective is to hit a ball into the opposing team's goal. It's often called the "sport of kings."
• The Garment: Das Polo (short for das Polohemd) is a T-shirt-like shirt with a collar, a short button placket at the neckline, and usually short sleeves.

⚠️ Although "Polohemd" is more specific for the shirt, native speakers often just say "das Polo" in everyday language. The context usually makes the meaning clear.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar and Declension of "das Polo"

"Polo" is a noun of neuter gender (sächlich). Here are the declension tables:

Example Sentences

1. Das Polo ist ein sehr schneller und anspruchsvoller Sport.
   (Polo is a very fast and demanding sport.)
2. Er trägt heute ein blaues Polo zur Jeans.
   (He is wearing a blue polo shirt with jeans today.)
3. Wir haben uns gestern ein spannendes Polo angesehen.
   (We watched an exciting polo match yesterday.)
4. Die neuen Polos für den Sommer sind gerade angekommen.
   (The new polo shirts for summer have just arrived.)

💡 How to use "das Polo"?

The usage of "das Polo" depends on the context:

• In a sports context: When talking about the sport itself, the rules, or a specific match, use "das Polo". Example: "Das Polo erfordert großes reiterliches Können." (Polo requires great equestrian skill.)
• In a fashion context: When referring to the garment, the short form "das Polo" is often used instead of "das Polohemd", especially in informal speech. Example: "Ich suche ein Polo in Größe L." (I'm looking for a polo shirt in size L.)

Comparison:

• Das Polo (Sport): Refers to the entire sport or a single game/match.
• Das Polo (Shirt): Refers to the garment. Synonym: das Polohemd. "Polohemd" is less ambiguous, but "Polo" is more common in everyday German.

Confusion is unlikely as the context (sports event vs. clothing store/everyday wear) clarifies the meaning.

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Polo"

For the article (das): Imagine watching das Pferd (the horse) in das Polo match, or looking at das schicke (the chic) Polo shirt in the shop window. Both are neutral objects of your observation – hence "das" Polo. Remember 'das' is the neutral article.

For the meanings (Sport & Shirt): Think of a wealthy player (Sport der Könige!) changing from their sweaty jersey after the game (one Polo) into a fresh, clean Polo shirt (the other Polo). One Polo (game) leads to the other Polo (shirt).

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar but different words

• Der Pool: swimming pool or the game pool (billiards).
• Der Pol: North/South pole; electrical pole.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Kunde im Bekleidungsgeschäft: "Haben Sie auch Krokodil-Polos?"
Verkäufer: "Selbstverständlich! Welche Schuhgröße hat das Krokodil?"

Customer asks in the clothing store: "Do you also have crocodile polos?"
Salesperson: "Of course! What shoe size does the crocodile wear?" (A pun on the Lacoste crocodile logo)

✍️ Poem about das Polo

Das doppelte Polo

Zu Pferde schnell, der Ball fliegt weit,
Das Polo-Spiel voll Eleganz und Streit.
Der Schläger schwingt, das Ziel ist nah,
Ein Sport für Kenner, wunderbar.

Doch auch im Schrank, ganz adrett,
Das Polo-Hemd, fürs Alltags-Ballett.
Mit Kragen fein und Knopfleist' kurz,
Ein Klassiker, kein Modesturz.

The Double Polo

On horseback swift, the ball flies far,
The Polo game, full of elegance and spar.
The mallet swings, the goal is near,
A sport for connoisseurs, held dear.

But also in the closet, neat,
The Polo shirt, for life's daily beat.
With collar fine and placket short,
A classic style, of fashion sort.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich hab' 'nen Kragen, doch kein Hemd im Sinn,
Man trägt mich lässig, innen und auch drin'.
Mal bin ich Sport, auf Pferden elegant,
Mal kleid' ich dich, im ganzen Land.

Was bin ich?

I have a collar, but not a formal shirt in mind,
You wear me casually, the comfortable kind.
Sometimes I'm a sport, on horses elegant,
Sometimes I clothe you, across the land.

What am I?
(Solution: das Polo)

ℹ️ Additional Information

• Origin (Sport): The sport of polo originated in ancient equestrian games in Central Asia (Persia) and was rediscovered and modernized by British officers in India in the 19th century.
• Origin (Shirt): The polo shirt was originally designed for tennis players (by René Lacoste in the 1920s) but also found favour among polo players and was later popularized by brands like Ralph Lauren, who used the polo player logo.
• Word Type: "Polo" is a noun borrowed from English, which in turn borrowed it from Tibetan ("pulu" meaning "ball").