das  Viertelfinale

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈfiːɐ̯tlfiˌnaːlə/

🏆 What does 'das Viertelfinale' mean?

Das Viertelfinale (noun, neuter) refers to a round in a competition or tournament (typically in sports) that takes place after the Achtelfinale (round of 16) and before the Halbfinale (semi-final). In this round, the last eight remaining participants (individuals or teams) compete against each other. The four winners of this round advance to the Halbfinale.

It is composed of 'Viertel' (quarter) and 'Finale' (final), indicating that four matches/pairings take place to determine the four semi-finalists.

There is only this one article (das) for this word. 🚨 Don't confuse it with the plural! The plural form is die Viertelfinale.

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Das Viertelfinale

The word 'Viertelfinale' is a noun of neuter gender (Neutrum). The article is 'das'. It is declined as follows:

Singular

Plural

💡 Example Sentences

1. Deutschland hat das Viertelfinale der Weltmeisterschaft erreicht. (Germany has reached the quarter-final of the World Cup.)
2. Im Viertelfinale treffen die stärksten Teams aufeinander. (The strongest teams meet in the quarter-final.)
3. Wir haben Karten für alle vier Viertelfinale gekauft. (We bought tickets for all four quarter-finals.)
4. Der Sieg im Viertelfinale war hart erkämpft. (The victory in the quarter-final was hard-fought.)

🗣️ How to use 'Viertelfinale'

The word 'Viertelfinale' is used almost exclusively in the context of competitions and tournaments, especially in sports (Fußball, Tennis, Basketball, Handball, etc.). It describes a specific phase of the competition.

• Typical Context: Sports reporting, discussions about tournament progress, planning sports events.
• Usage: One talks about reaching (ins Viertelfinale einziehen), playing in (im Viertelfinale spielen), winning or losing the quarter-final (das Viertelfinale gewinnen/verlieren).
• Distinction: It's important to note the order: Vorrunde / Gruppenphase (preliminary round / group stage) → Achtelfinale (round of 16) → Viertelfinale (quarter-final) → Halbfinale (semi-final) → Finale (final). Each round denotes a specific stage with a certain number of participants.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: Think of 'das Finale' (the final). The Viertelfinale is part of the journey to the grand final, and they both share the article 'das'. Imagine das big goal (Finale), and das quarter (Viertel) of the way there (Viertelfinale).

Meaning Mnemonic: 'Viertel' means ¼ (quarter). In the Viertelfinale, there are 8 teams left (which makes 4 pairs). Think of the field being reduced towards a quarter of the number needed for the final with 2 teams (8 teams, 4 matches). Or simply: there are four games (vier = four) in this round.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Viertelfinale

⚠️ Caution: Don't confuse it with 'Viertelfinalist' (the participant in the quarter-final).

😄 A Little Joke

Warum sind Fußballfans im Viertelfinale immer so nervös?
Weil sie wissen, dass es nur noch halb so weit bis zum Halbfinale ist, aber doppelt so weit wie vom Achtelfinale! 😉

Why are football fans always so nervous during the quarter-final?
Because they know it's only half the way to the semi-final, but twice as far as from the round of 16! 😉

📜 Poem about the Quarter-Final

Acht Teams noch im Rennen,
die Spannung, sie steigt.
Im Viertelfinale wird brennen,
wer Stärke hier zeigt.

Der Ball rollt, die Menge tobt,
nur vier kommen weiter.
Ein Traum wird gelobt,
der Weg wird breiter.

Das Viertelfinale, ein harter Test,
für Ruhm und den Sieg.
Wer hält dem Druck fest?
Wer meistert den Krieg?

Eight teams still in the race,
The tension, it climbs.
In the quarter-final will blaze,
Who shows strength this time.

The ball rolls, the crowd roars,
Only four advance on.
A dream is adored,
The path widens anon.

The quarter-final, a tough test,
For glory and the win.
Who endures the pressure best?
Who masters the din?

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin eine Runde, doch kein Kreis,
im Turnier bring' ich den Schweiß.
Acht kämpfen hier um den Sieg,
vier kommen weiter, welch ein Krieg!
Vor dem Halben, nach dem Achten,
wer wird hier am längsten schmachten?

Was bin ich?
(Lösung: das Viertelfinale)

I am a round, but not a circle,
In tournaments, I make you perspire.
Eight fight here for victory's glow,
Four move on, what a war to know!
Before the half, after the eighth's might,
Who will endure the longest fight?

What am I?
(Solution: the quarter-final / das Viertelfinale)

🧩 Other Information

Word Composition:

• Viertel: Comes from the number word 'vier' (four) and means 'the fourth part' or 'quarter'.
• Finale: Comes from the Latin 'finalis' (final, belonging to the end).

So, the word 'Viertelfinale' clearly describes its function in the tournament structure: the round that corresponds to a quarter of the way from the point of eight participants to the final (or the round with four matches).

Trivia: In some cup competitions (like the German DFB-Pokal), the Viertelfinale is often considered a particularly attractive round. This is because top teams meet more frequently than in earlier rounds, the excitement is high, and there's a good chance for upsets (Überraschungen).