das
Team
🤝 What does "das Team" mean?
The German word das Team (noun, neuter) refers to a group of people working together on a task or pursuing a common goal. It's a loanword from English and is frequently used in professional contexts, sports, or for projects.
There is only one article for "Team" in German: das. It's a neuter noun.
🚨 Be Aware: Although it refers to a group of people, the word itself is grammatically neuter (sächlich).
Article rules for der, die, and das
Many foreign words → mostly neutral.
There are many foreign words, we won't list them all.
📊 Grammar & Declension of "das Team"
"Team" is a noun with the neuter article das. Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | das | Team |
| Genitive | des | Teams |
| Dative | dem | Team |
| Accusative | das | Team |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Teams |
| Genitive | der | Teams |
| Dative | den | Teams |
| Accusative | die | Teams |
📖 Example Sentences
- Das neue Team arbeitet sehr effizient. (The new team works very efficiently.)
- Der Erfolg des Projekts hängt vom gesamten Team ab. (The success of the project depends on the entire team.)
- Wir suchen Verstärkung für unser Team. (We are looking for reinforcement for our team.)
- Die verschiedenen Teams treffen sich wöchentlich. (The different teams meet weekly.)
- Der Trainer lobte den Zusammenhalt seiner Teams. (The coach praised the cohesion of his teams.)
💡 Contextual Usage: Das Team
"Das Team" is used very frequently, especially in the following areas:
- Workplace: Project teams, departments (e.g., das Marketing-Team - the marketing team)
- Sports: Sports teams (e.g., das Fußballteam - the football team, das Nationalteam - the national team)
- Projects: Groups working on a specific venture (e.g., das Organisationsteam - the organizing team)
It emphasizes collaboration and a shared goal. Words like Gruppe (group) or Mannschaft (sports team) can often be used synonymously, but "Team" often carries a more modern or professional connotation, particularly in business settings.
🧠 How to Remember "das Team"
For the article: Think of a team often functioning like das kleine Rädchen (the small cog - neuter) in a larger machine. Or imagine giving a team das Maskottchen (the mascot - neuter) as a gift.
For the meaning: The English word "Team" is the same in German. It sounds a bit like the English word "deem" – you might deem it necessary to work together in a Team!
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for "das Team"
Synonyms (Similar Meaning)
- Die Mannschaft: Especially common in sports.
- Die Gruppe: General term for several people.
- Die Arbeitsgruppe: More specific to professional collaboration (working group).
- Das Kollektiv: Emphasizes joint action and thought (collective).
- Die Crew: Often used for ships, airplanes, or film productions.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning)
- Die Einzelperson: An individual person.
- Das Individuum: Focus on the single person (individual).
- Der Einzelkämpfer / Die Einzelkämpferin: Someone who works or fights alone (lone wolf/fighter).
⚠️ Similar Words: Don't confuse with Thema (das) - topic, subject.
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Chef sein Team: "Wer glaubt, dass er zu viel arbeitet?"
Alle Mitarbeiter heben die Hand.
Chef: "Okay, wer glaubt, dass er zu wenig bezahlt wird?"
Alle heben wieder die Hand.
Chef: "Gut. Morgen diskutieren wir, wer bereit ist, seinen Job mit einem Roboter zu tauschen, der nie müde wird und kein Gehalt braucht."
(Translation: The boss asks his team: "Who thinks they work too much?"
All employees raise their hands.
Boss: "Okay, who thinks they are paid too little?"
Everyone raises their hand again.
Boss: "Good. Tomorrow we'll discuss who is willing to swap their job with a robot that never gets tired and doesn't need a salary.")
📜 Poem about the Team
Ein Ziel, ein Weg, ein starker Bund,
Das Team steht fest zu jeder Stund'.
Mal laut, mal leis, doch stets vereint,
Gemeinsam wird Erfolg erkeimt.
Hand in Hand, mit Mut und Kraft,
So wird die große Tat geschafft.
(Translation:
One goal, one path, a strong alliance,
The team stands firm at every instance.
Sometimes loud, sometimes low, but always united,
Together, success is ignited.
Hand in hand, with courage and might,
Thus the great deed is brought to light.)
❓ Little Riddle
Ich bin kein Einzelner, doch hab' ein Ziel,
Arbeite zusammen, das ist mein Spiel.
Im Sport, im Job, da findest du mich.
Mein Artikel ist sächlich, merkst du es nich'?
Wer oder was bin ich?
(Auflösung: das Team)
(Translation:
I'm not an individual, yet have a goal,
Working together, that's my role.
In sports, in jobs, you'll find me there.
My article is neuter, are you aware?
Who or what am I?
Answer: das Team)
🌐 Further Information
Word Compounds: "Team" is often part of compound nouns (Komposita):
- Teamarbeit (f): Teamwork.
- Teamgeist (m): Team spirit.
- Teamleiter/in (m/f): Team leader.
- Teamfähigkeit (f): Ability to work in a team.
Origin: The word comes directly from English ("team") and was adopted into German in the 20th century.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Team?
The correct article for "Team" is always das. It is a neuter noun: das Team (Nom.), des Teams (Gen.), dem Team (Dat.), das Team (Acc.); Plural: die Teams.
