der
Basketball
🏀 What does "der Basketball" mean?
The German word der Basketball is a loanword from English (basket + ball). It has two main meanings:
- The sport: It refers to the team game where two teams try to shoot a ball into the opponent's basket. Example:
Er spielt seit seiner Kindheit Basketball.(He has been playing basketball since his childhood.) - The ball: It refers to the ball used for this sport. Example:
Wir brauchen einen neuen Basketball, der alte ist platt.(We need a new basketball, the old one is flat.)
In German, the word is masculine, so it's always der Basketball. 🚨 Be careful: There is no "die Basketball" or "das Basketball".
Article rules for der, die, and das
-all → almost always masculine.
Grammar in Detail: Der Basketball
The noun "Basketball" is masculine and uses the article "der". It is declined as follows:
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Basketball |
| Genitive | des | Basketballs |
| Dative | dem | Basketball |
| Accusative | den | Basketball |
Plural
The plural "die Basketbälle" primarily refers to the game balls. The sport itself is usually referred to in the singular.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Basketbälle |
| Genitive | der | Basketbälle |
| Dative | den | Basketbällen |
| Accusative | die | Basketbälle |
Example Sentences
- Nominative:
Der Basketball ist ein spannender Sport.(Basketball is an exciting sport.) /Der Basketball liegt im Schrank.(The basketball is in the closet.) - Genitive:
Die Regeln des Basketballs sind komplex.(The rules of basketball are complex.) /Die Oberfläche des Basketballs ist rau.(The surface of the basketball is rough.) - Dative:
Er widmet seine Freizeit dem Basketball.(He dedicates his free time to basketball.) /Mit dem Basketball kann man gut dribbeln.(You can dribble well with the basketball.) - Accusative:
Sie liebt den Basketball.(She loves basketball.) /Er wirft den Basketball in den Korb.(He throws the basketball into the basket.) - Plural:
Die Mannschaft trainiert mit neuen Basketbällen.(The team trains with new basketballs.)
ℹ️ When talking about the sport in general, the article is often omitted: Ich spiele gerne Basketball. (I like playing basketball.)
⛹️♂️ Everyday Usage
"Der Basketball" is primarily used in contexts related to sports and leisure.
- Describing the sport:
Basketball ist olympisch.(Basketball is an Olympic sport.) /Im Fernsehen läuft gerade Basketball.(Basketball is on TV right now.) - Talking about the ball:
Kannst du mir den Basketball rüberwerfen?(Can you throw the basketball over to me?) /Dieser Basketball hat die offizielle Größe.(This basketball has the official size.) - Naming activities: Common verbs include
spielen(to play),trainieren(to practice/train),werfen(to throw),dribbeln(to dribble).Wir gehen heute Abend Basketball spielen.(We are going to play basketball tonight.)
Compared to `Korbball`, sometimes mentioned as a German synonym, `Basketball` is the internationally common term and almost exclusively used in modern language for the sport. `Korbball` often refers to a related but different sport or is rarely used synonymously anymore.
🧠 Mnemonics for "der Basketball"
Mnemonic for the article (der):
Think of DER strong player, DER basket hunter, throwing DEN Ball (Accusative). Many sports and balls are masculine in German (der Fußball, der Handball, der Tennisball).
Mnemonic for the meaning:
The word is like a puzzle: Basket + Ball = The game with a basket and a ball is called Basketball.
🔄 Synonyms & Related Terms
Synonyms
- Korbball: (Used for a similar sport or outdated/colloquial for basketball)
Note: True synonyms are rare as Basketball is a very specific term.
Related Terms
- Der Basketballspieler / die Basketballspielerin: Basketball player (male/female)
- Das Basketballspiel: Basketball game/match
- Der Basketballkorb: Basketball hoop/basket
- Das Basketballfeld: Basketball court
- Die Basketballmannschaft: Basketball team
😂 A Little Joke
Warum spielen Skelette kein Basketball?
Weil sie keinen Körper haben, um in die Verteidigung zu gehen! 😄
Translation:
Why don't skeletons play basketball?
Because they have no body to go on defense! 😄 (Pun on "no body" / "nobody")
📜 Poem about Basketball
Der Ball fliegt hoch, zum Korb geschwind,
Der Basketball, geliebt von jedem Kind.
Dribbeln, passen, werfen, schnell,
Ein Punkt erzielt, das Echo hell.
Teamgeist zählt, auf Feld und Bahn,
Das ist Basketball, zieh uns in deinen Bann!
Translation:
The ball flies high, towards the hoop swift,
Der Basketball, loved by every kid.
Dribbling, passing, throwing, fast,
A point is scored, the echo cast.
Team spirit counts, on court and track,
That's basketball, pulling us into its act!
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin orange und rund,
Fliege durch die Luft, gesund.
Durch einen Ring musst du mich werfen,
Welchen Sport mein Name lässt dich erben?
Lösung: Der Basketball
Translation:
I am orange and round,
Fly through the air, safe and sound.
Through a ring you must throw me,
Which sport does my name decree?
Solution: Basketball (der Basketball)
🌐 Other Information
Word Composition: As mentioned, "Basketball" is composed of the English words "Basket" and "Ball". Basket (Korb) + Ball (Ball).
Cultural Significance: Basketball is a globally popular sport, especially in the USA (NBA), but also in many other countries, including Germany (BBL - Basketball Bundesliga).
Summary: is it der, die or das Basketball?
The German word for the sport and the ball is masculine: der Basketball (Genitive: des Basketballs, Plural of the balls: die Basketbälle).