das  Skispringen

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈskiːˌʃpʁɪŋən/

❄️ What does 'das Skispringen' mean?

Das Skispringen refers to the winter sport where athletes ski down an inrun (eine Sprungschanze) and attempt to fly or jump as far as possible after taking off from the table (Schanzentisch), while also demonstrating good form.

It is the nominalization (making a noun from a verb) of the verb skispringen (to ski jump). As a nominalized verb, it is neuter (sächlich) and therefore uses the article das.

There are no different meanings dependent on different articles, as only "das" is correct.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar in Detail: das Skispringen

The word "Skispringen" is a nominalized verb (from the verb skispringen) and is therefore neuter (Neutrum). It is generally only used in the singular, as it describes the sport as a concept.

A plural ("die Skispringen") is grammatically possible but very uncommon (sehr unüblich) and would refer to multiple individual jumping events or competitions, which is usually expressed differently (e.g., "mehrere Skisprung-Wettbewerbe" - several ski jumping competitions).

Example Sentences:

• Das Skispringen ist eine faszinierende Sportart. (Ski jumping is a fascinating sport.)
• Er trainiert jeden Winter für das Skispringen. (He trains for ski jumping every winter.)
• Die Regeln des Skispringens sind komplex. (The rules of ski jumping are complex.)
• Mit dem Skispringen begann er schon als Kind. (He started with ski jumping already as a child.)

⛷️ How to use "Skispringen"?

"Das Skispringen" is primarily used in the context of sports:

• Describing the sport: When talking about the discipline itself (e.g., Das Skispringen erfordert Mut und Technik. - Ski jumping requires courage and technique.).
• Competitions: In relation to sporting events (e.g., Das Neujahrsspringen ist Teil der Vierschanzentournee. - The New Year's jump is part of the Four Hills Tournament.).
• Training and Practice: When referring to actively engaging in the sport (e.g., Er liebt das Skispringen seit seiner Jugend. - He has loved ski jumping since his youth.).

Distinction: Not to be confused with das Skifahren (general skiing) or der Skilanglauf (cross-country skiing).

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

For the article "das": Think of other nominalized verbs describing activities, which are often neuter in German: das Laufen (running), das Schwimmen (swimming), das Springen (jumping). Skispringen fits this pattern.

For the meaning: The word is composed of Ski (skis) and springen (to jump). So, you literally jump (springen) with skis (Ski) – quite straightforward!

↔️ Opposites and Similar Terms

😄 A Little Joke

German: Warum nehmen Skispringer immer einen Regenschirm mit zum Training? – Damit sie auch bei Sonnenschein im Schatten springen können!

English Translation: Why do ski jumpers always take an umbrella to training? – So they can jump in the shade even when it's sunny! 😉 (Okay, that's a bit flat, like the outrun after a short jump!)

✍️ Poem about Ski Jumping

German:
Auf der Schanze, hoch der Turm,
Herz klopft laut im Wintersturm.
Das Skispringen, kühn und frei,
Abstoß, Flug – und schon vorbei.
Durch die Luft mit Eleganz,
Landung sicher, Siegeskranz?
Ein Moment, der alles hält,
In der weißen Winterwelt.

English Translation:
On the jump, the tower high,
Heart beats loud as winter sighs.
Ski jumping, bold and free,
Take-off, flight – then history.
Through the air with elegance,
Landing safe, a winner's chance?
A moment holding all in sway,
In the white world of a winter's day.

❓ Little Riddle

German:
Ich fahr' die Spur im Eiskanal,
heb' ab und fliege – phänomenal!
Mit zwei Brettern an den Füßen,
will ich die Weite süß begrüßen.
Im Winter bin ich oft zu seh'n,
wie heißt das sportliche Gescheh'n?

English Translation:
I ride the track in the icy chute,
Take off and fly – quite absolute!
With two boards upon my feet,
I want the distance sweetly greet.
In winter, I am often seen,
What is this sporting scene?

Solution: Das Skispringen (Ski jumping)

💡 Other Information

Word Composition: The word "Skispringen" is a compound noun (Kompositum) made of:

• Ski (plural of Ski, the board for snow)
• springen (the verb meaning 'to jump')

Trivia:

• Skispringen is an Olympic discipline.
• The Vierschanzentournee (Four Hills Tournament) in Germany and Austria is one of the most famous ski jumping events worldwide.
• Besides the distance (Weite), the style in the air (Haltung) and the landing (Landung - preferably Telemark style) are crucial for the judges' scores.