das  Turnier

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/tuʁˈniːɐ̯/

🏆 What does "das Turnier" mean?

Das Turnier (noun, neuter) refers to an organized competition or competitive event where multiple participants (individuals or teams) compete against each other to determine a winner. Turniere (plural) take place in many areas, especially in sports (e.g., Fußballturnier - soccer tournament, Tennisturnier - tennis tournament, Schachturnier - chess tournament), but also in games or historically as a knightly contest.

There is only one article for this word: das. It is always neuter. ⚠️ Remembering the gender of German nouns is crucial!

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar in Detail: Das Turnier

"Turnier" is a noun of neuter gender (das). Here is its declension:

Declension Singular

Note: In the genitive singular, both forms (-s and -es) are possible, though "des Turniers" is more common. In the dative singular, the ending -e ("dem Turniere") is archaic but not incorrect.

Declension Plural

Example Sentences 💡

1. Unsere Mannschaft hat das Turnier gewonnen.
   (Our team won the tournament.)
2. Die Vorbereitungen für das nächste Turnier laufen bereits.
   (Preparations for the next tournament are already underway.)
3. Der Sieger des Turniers erhielt einen großen Pokal.
   (The winner of the tournament received a large trophy.)
4. Wir freuen uns auf die Teilnahme an vielen spannenden Turnieren dieses Jahr.
   (We look forward to participating in many exciting tournaments this year.)

🎯 How to Use "Turnier"

The term "Turnier" is used to describe a structured competitive event. Here are some typical contexts:

• Sports: The most common field of application. Examples: Fußballturnier (soccer tournament), Tennisturnier (tennis tournament), Golfturnier (golf tournament), E-Sport-Turnier (e-sports tournament).
• Games: Brettspielturniere (board game tournaments), Kartenspielturniere (card game tournaments, e.g., Pokerturnier), Schachturniere (chess tournaments).
• Historical: Medieval knightly tournaments (mittelalterliche Ritterturniere) featuring disciplines like jousting (Tjost).
• Other fields: Debating tournaments (Debattierturniere), music competitions (Musikwettbewerbe - sometimes referred to as a Turnier).

Compared to "Wettkampf" (contest) or "Wettbewerb" (competition), "Turnier" often implies a structure with multiple rounds or matches leading to a single winner (e.g., knockout system, group stage followed by a final round).

🧠 Memory Aids for "das Turnier"

For the article (das): Think of words like "das Spiel" (the game) or "das Spektakel" (the spectacle). A tournament is often a big spectacle and consists of many games. Both 'Spiel' and 'Spektakel' are neuter, just like das Turnier.

For the meaning: Imagine knights 'turning' (like a tour) their horses in combat – this relates to the origin of "Turnier". It's about a competition, often with several rounds.

↔️ Related Terms for "Turnier"

Similar but different words:

• Die Tournee: A tour by artists or athletes with performances/matches in different locations (not a single competition event at one place).

😂 A Little Laugh: Turnier Joke

Fragt der Trainer den Schiedsrichter nach dem Turnier: "Sagen Sie mal, waren Sie schon mal beim Optiker?"
Antwortet der Schiedsrichter: "Nein, wieso?"
Trainer: "Weil Sie heute wirklich jedes Foul übersehen haben!"

Translation:
After the tournament, the coach asks the referee: "Tell me, have you ever been to the optician?"
The referee replies: "No, why?"
Coach: "Because you missed absolutely *every* foul today!"

📜 Poetic Words: The Turnier

Im Stadion, die Menge tobt,
das Turnier hat nun gelobt,
Spannung pur in jedem Spiel,
Der Sieg das heiß ersehnte Ziel.

Von Runde zu Runde, Kampf und Ehr',
Wer wird der Champion, wer gewinnt mehr?
Am Ende strahlt nur einer hell,
Nach diesem großen Kampf-Appell.

Translation:
In the stadium, the crowd roars,
the tournament has now praised,
Pure excitement in every game,
Victory the eagerly awaited aim.

From round to round, fight and honor fair,
Who'll be the champion, who wins more there?
In the end, only one shines bright,
After this great call to fight.

❓ A Little Turnier Riddle

Ich bringe viele zusammen,
Ob mit Ball, Brett oder Damen.
Es gibt Runden, Sieg und auch Malheur,
Am Ende steht ein Sieger hier.

Was bin ich?
... Das Turnier

Translation:
I bring many together,
Whether with ball, board, or checkers [lit. 'ladies'].
There are rounds, victory, and also mishap,
In the end, a winner stands here perhaps.

What am I?
... The tournament (das Turnier)

🧐 Interesting Facts about "Turnier"

Etymology (Wortherkunft): The word "Turnier" comes from the Old French word tornei or tournoiement, which referred to the 'turning' or 'wheeling' of horses in knightly combats. It was adopted into Middle High German as turnei or turnier.

Compounds (Zusammensetzungen): "Turnier" is often part of compound nouns, e.g.:

• Turniersieger (m) / Turniersiegerin (f) - tournament winner
• Turnierleitung (f) - tournament management/direction
• Turnierplan (m) - tournament schedule/plan
• Turnierpferd (n) - tournament horse (historical)