der  Hattrick

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈhatʁɪk/

⚽ What exactly is a Hattrick?

The term Hattrick (with the article der) originally refers in sports, especially in Fußball (football/soccer) or Eishockey (ice hockey), to scoring three goals by the same player within a specific time frame (often one half) or consecutively without interruption by another player's goal.

In a broader sense, der Hattrick can also be used for three consecutive successes or events of the same kind in other areas, although this is less common.

It's a loanword from English (hat-trick).

🧐 Grammar and Declension of 'Hattrick'

The word "Hattrick" is a masculine noun and uses the article der. It is declined as follows:

Singular Declension

Plural Declension

Example Sentences

1. Dem Stürmer gelang kurz vor der Pause der Hattrick. (The striker managed the hat-trick just before halftime.)
2. Wir feierten den Hattrick unseres Lieblingsspielers ausgelassen. (We celebrated our favorite player's hat-trick exuberantly.)
3. Dank des Hattricks gewann die Mannschaft das Spiel. (Thanks to the hat-trick, the team won the game.)
4. Im letzten Turnier gab es gleich mehrere Hattricks. (There were several hat-tricks in the last tournament.)

🗣️ How 'der Hattrick' is Used

The term Hattrick is used almost exclusively in the context of sports where goals can be scored, such as Fußball (soccer), Eishockey (ice hockey), Handball, or Wasserball (water polo).

• Typical Usage: "einen Hattrick erzielen" (to score a hat-trick), "einen Hattrick schaffen" (to achieve a hat-trick), "jemandem gelingt ein Hattrick" (someone manages a hat-trick).
• Context: Mostly found in game reports, commentary, or sports news.
• Figurative Meaning: It's less commonly used for three consecutive successes of another kind (e.g., winning three awards in a row), but this often sounds a bit forced or overly sporty.
• Distinction: A "lupenreiner Hattrick" (flawless hat-trick) in football means three goals in one half without any other player (from either team) scoring in between.

💡 Mnemonics for 'Hattrick'

Article Mnemonic: Think of DER hero, DER player who scores DER Hattrick. The word 'player' (der Spieler) is masculine, just like 'Hattrick'.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine a player throws his Hat in the air in Triumph after the third goal – a Hat-Trick for three successes.

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

Similar but Misleading Terms

There are no common confusions as the term is very specific. One might vaguely think of words like "Trick" (trick, knack) or "Trickkiste" (bag of tricks), but these have different meanings.

😂 A Little Joke about the Hattrick

Fragt der Trainer den neuen Stürmer: "Na, wie war dein erster Einsatz?"
Stürmer: "Super, Trainer! Ich habe fast einen Hattrick geschafft!"
Trainer: "Fast? Wie meinst du das?"
Stürmer: "Naja, ich hab dreimal daneben geschossen!"

Translation:
The coach asks the new striker: "Well, how was your first game?"
Striker: "Great, coach! I almost scored a hat-trick!"
Coach: "Almost? What do you mean?"
Striker: "Well, I missed the goal three times!"

📜 Poem about the Hattrick

Der Ball fliegt schnell, das Netz erzittert,
Ein Tor, Applaus, die Menge wittert,
Da kommt der Schuss, erneut, zum Zweiten,
Der Held des Tags lässt sich nicht bitten.
Und dann der dritte Streich, genial,
Der Hattrick ist vollbracht, phänomenal!

Translation:
The ball flies fast, the net trembles,
A goal, applause, the crowd senses,
Here comes the shot, again, the second,
The hero of the day needs no beckon'd.
And then the third strike, ingenious call,
The hat-trick is achieved, phenomenal!

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin dreifach Glück im Spiel,
erreicht ein Spieler mit viel Gefühl.
Drei Tore kurz nacheinander,
für den Sieger ein Garant, Manna.
Im Fußball und Eishockey bekannt,
wie werd' ich schnell genannt?

Translation:
I am triple luck in the game,
achieved by a player with much aim.
Three goals in quick succession,
for the winner a guarantee, a blessing session.
Known in soccer and ice hockey's land,
what am I quickly named, close at hand?

Solution: Der Hattrick

ℹ️ Trivia about Hattrick

• Origin: The word comes from English (hat-trick) and was originally used in cricket. A bowler who dismissed three batsmen with three consecutive balls traditionally received a hat as recognition. (Herkunft: Das Wort stammt aus dem Englischen (hat-trick) und wurde ursprünglich im Cricket verwendet. Ein Bowler, der drei Batsmen mit drei aufeinanderfolgenden Bällen ausschaltete, erhielt traditionell einen Hut als Anerkennung.)
• Adoption into German: Like many sports terms, "Hattrick" was directly adopted from English into German and is firmly established here. (Übernahme ins Deutsche: Wie viele Sportbegriffe wurde "Hattrick" direkt aus dem Englischen ins Deutsche übernommen und ist hier fest etabliert.)