der  Elfer

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈɛlfɐ/

⚽ What does 'der Elfer' mean?

The word der Elfer is a colloquial abbreviation and almost always refers to the Elfmeter in football (soccer). An Elfmeter is a penalty kick taken from eleven meters away from the goal, with only the goalkeeper facing the kicker.

Less commonly, 'der Elfer' can also mean:

• A group of eleven people or things (e.g., der Elferrat in Carnival).
• Something related to the number 11 (e.g., a vehicle of a specific line, a vintage like 1911).
• Colloquially for a Porsche 911 (though often used without an article here: "Er fährt Elfer" - He drives an eleven).

🚨 However, the main meaning is clearly the penalty kick in sports.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📘 Grammar in Detail: Der Elfer

The noun 'Elfer' is masculine. Its declension is as follows:

💡 Example Sentences

1. Der Schiedsrichter gab einen Elfer für die Heimmannschaft.
   (The referee gave a penalty kick for the home team.)
2. Der Torwart hielt den entscheidenden Elfer.
   (The goalkeeper saved the decisive penalty kick.)
3. Nach dem Foul im Strafraum gab es keine Diskussion über den Elfer.
   (After the foul in the penalty area, there was no discussion about the penalty kick.)
4. Die Fans forderten lautstark einen Elfer.
   (The fans loudly demanded a penalty kick.)

🗣️ How to use 'Elfer'?

Der Elfer is primarily used in the context of football (soccer), where it serves as a very common, informal term for Elfmeter or Strafstoß (penalty kick).

• Sports commentary: Commentators and journalists often use 'Elfer' for more vivid language.
• Colloquial speech: Fans and players use the word routinely.
• Comparison: Elfmeter is the more formal term. Strafstoß is also formal and slightly more general (can occur in other sports but is mostly associated with football). 'Elfer' is the shortest and most colloquial variant.

⚠️ Outside of football, its use is less frequent and depends on the context (see definition).

🧠 Memory Aids for 'der Elfer'

Article Mnemonic: Think of the (der) elevated pressure of the kick, or the (der) eleven-meter shot taken by the (der) player (who is usually male, hence 'der').

Meaning Mnemonic: 'Elfer' sounds like the number eleven (elf in German). It's the kick from the eleven-meter spot.

🔄 Synonyms & Related Terms

⚠️ Potential Confusion:

• Elf: The number 11 or a team (soccer team). Example: "Die deutsche Elf spielt heute." (The German eleven/team plays today.) Don't confuse this with the penalty kick.

😄 A little Elfer Joke

DE: Fragt der Trainer seinen Stürmer: "Warum hast du den Elfer so schwach geschossen?" Antwortet der Stürmer: "Der Torwart hat mich so nett darum gebeten!"

EN: The coach asks his striker: "Why did you shoot the penalty so weakly?" The striker replies: "The goalkeeper asked me so nicely!"

📜 An Elfer Poem

DE: Der Pfiff ertönt, die Menge schreit,
Ein Foul im Strafraum, es ist soweit.
Der Ball liegt still, elf Meter nur,
Der Elfer kommt, welch Nervenkur!
Der Schütze läuft an, voller Kraft,
Der Torwart hechtet – meisterhaft?
Das Netz, es zappelt, Tor! Hurra!
Entscheidung durch den Elfer war’s, ganz klar.

EN: The whistle blows, the crowd shouts out,
A foul inside the box, no doubt.
The ball lies still, eleven meters' space,
The penalty comes, a nerve-wracking race!
The kicker runs up, full of might,
The keeper dives - will he save the light?
The net it ripples, goal! Hooray!
\Decided by the Elfer, clear as day.

❓ Elfer Riddle

DE: Ich bin ein Punkt, gefürchtet sehr,
Elf Meter sind's zum Tor, nicht mehr.
Ein Spieler, ein Torwart, das Duell,
Ein Pfiff genügt, dann geht es schnell.

Was bin ich?
... Der Elfmeterpunkt (oder der Elfer selbst)

EN:
I am a spot, feared greatly near,
Eleven meters to the goal, no more to clear.
One player, one keeper, the duel is set,
One whistle's enough, then quickly met.

What am I?
... The penalty spot (or the penalty kick itself, 'der Elfer')

🧩 More Info about Elfer

Etymology: The word 'Elfer' is a shortening of 'Elfmeter'. The number 'elf' (eleven) refers to the distance of eleven meters from the goal from which the penalty kick is taken.

Trivia:

• The first penalty kick in football history was likely introduced in England in 1891.
• Ice hockey has a similar penalty shot, often called just 'penalty'.
• As mentioned, 'Elfer' can also affectionately refer to a Porsche 911, derived from the number 'Nine-Eleven' (Neun-Elf).