das  Spielende

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃpiːlˌɛndə/

🏁 What Exactly is "das Spielende"?

Das Spielende (noun, neuter) refers to the point in time or the process when a game (Spiel), match (Partie), performance (Aufführung), or similar activity comes to an end. It's the nominalized present participle (substantiviertes Partizip I) of the verb spielen (to play) or related to enden (to end), specifically meaning "the moment the game ends" or simply "the end of the game/play".

It only takes the article das.

• Meaning: The conclusion or final point of a game or comparable event.

⚠️ Be careful: Don't confuse it with der/die Spielende (plural: die Spielenden), which refers to a person who is currently playing (a nominalized participle referring to a person).

🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: das Spielende

Das Spielende is a nominalized participle and is declined like an adjective when preceded by an article or pronoun (strong, weak, mixed declension). Since it usually refers to a specific point in time, it's most often used in the singular. A plural form is uncommon or would refer to the ends of multiple games.

Declension (Singular, Neuter):

Note: In the Dative Singular, both forms 'Spielende' and 'Spielenden' are grammatically possible, but 'Spielende' is more common in modern usage for the neuter noun.

Examples using "das Spielende"

• Nach dem Spielende gingen alle nach Hause. (After the end of the game, everyone went home.)
• Wir warteten gespannt auf das Spielende. (We waited eagerly for the end of the game.)
• Die Spannung stieg kurz vor dem Spielende. (The tension rose shortly before the end of the game.)

💡 How to Use "das Spielende"

Das Spielende is used to clearly mark the conclusion of a time-limited event such as a game (sports, board game, video game) or a performance (theatre).

• Context: Often found in sports reports, game instructions, or when describing plays or movies.
• Typical Phrases: Frequently used with prepositions like "nach" (after), "vor" (before), "bis zu" (until), "gegen" (towards/around). Example: "Kurz vor dem Spielende fiel das entscheidende Tor." (The decisive goal was scored shortly before the end of the game.)
• Comparison: While Ende is more general, Spielende specifically refers to the conclusion of a *game* or game-like activity. Schluss (end, conclusion) can be used similarly (e.g., Spielschluss - end of play).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: Think of das Ziel (the goal), das Ende (the end). Many abstract concepts in German that describe a point in time or a result are neuter ('das'), like das Ende, das Ergebnis (the result), and also das Spielende.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine everyone watching a thrilling game, waiting for das grand finale, das end of the game – das Spielende. The 'end-e' sound in 'Spielende' sounds like 'end'.

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

Potential for Confusion:

• Der/Die Spielende: Refers to the person who is playing (e.g., Der Spielende würfelt gerade. - The player is rolling the dice right now.). Note the different article and meaning.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Skelette nie am Spiel teil bis zum Spielende?

Weil sie keinen Körper haben, um durchzuhalten! 😉

(Why do skeletons never take part in the game until the very end? Because they have no body to keep going!)

📜 A Poem for the End of the Game

Die Uhr tickt laut, die Zeit verrinnt,
Ein letzter Zug, der fast gewinnt.
Doch dann der Pfiff, es ist vorbei,
Das Spielende kommt herbei.

Applaus erklingt, mal Freud, mal Leid,
Für diesen Augenblick der Zeit.
Man reicht die Hand, es ist geschehn,
Bis wir uns zum nächsten Spiel wiedersehn.

(The clock ticks loudly, time flies away,
A final move that almost wins the day.
But then the whistle, it's all done,
The game's conclusion has begun.

Applause rings out, some joy, some pain,
For this moment's time domain.
A handshake offered, the deed complete,
Until the next time our games meet.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich komme, wenn die Punkte gezählt,
oder der letzte Pfiff gewählt.
Ich bin der Schluss von Spaß und Streit,
beende jede Spielzeit.

Was bin ich?

(I come when the points are counted,
or the final whistle has sounded.
I am the end of fun and strife,
I conclude every playtime's life.

What am I?)

Solution: das Spielende (the end of the game)

🧩 Other Details

Word Formation (Wortbildung):

Das Spielende is an example of a nominalized present participle (substantiviertes Partizip I). The verb spielen (to play) becomes the present participle spielend (playing). When this participle is used as a noun to refer to the process or point in time of the action, it becomes neuter: das Spielende. Compare: das Lesende (the act of reading), das Laufende (the act of running).