der
Penalty
⚽ What exactly is a 'Penalty'?
The term der Penalty (pronounced like the English word) is a loanword from English and is primarily used in German in sports contexts. It refers to a Strafe (penalty) for a foul or rule violation, often leading to a direct scoring opportunity for the opposing team.
- In Fußball (soccer)/Eishockey (ice hockey): Mostly synonymous with Strafstoß or Elfmeter (soccer) or Strafschuss (ice hockey). It's a direct confrontation between a shooter and the Torwart (goalkeeper) after a serious foul inside the penalty area.
- More generally (less common): Sometimes used for a penalty or disadvantage in other game situations or figurative contexts, although the German word Strafe is often preferred here. ⚠️ Note: The general meaning is less common.
The word is firmly established as masculine (der).
🧐 Grammar: Declining 'der Penalty'
Der Penalty is a masculine noun. It is declined as follows:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Penalty |
| Genitive | des | Penaltys |
| Dative | dem | Penalty |
| Accusative | den | Penalty |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Penaltys |
| Genitive | der | Penaltys |
| Dative | den | Penaltys |
| Accusative | die | Penaltys |
Example Sentences
- Der Schiedsrichter entschied auf Penalty. (The referee decided on a penalty.)
- Der Torwart konnte den harten Penalty parieren. (The goalkeeper could save the hard penalty.)
- Nach dem Foul gab es einen berechtigten Penalty für die Heimmannschaft. (After the foul, there was a justified penalty for the home team.)
- Die Fans jubelten nach dem verwandelten Penalty. (The fans cheered after the converted penalty.)
🗣️ How to Use 'Penalty'?
Der Penalty is used almost exclusively in the context of sports like Fußball (soccer), Eishockey (ice hockey), Handball, or rugby.
- Typical Collocations: einen Penalty verursachen (to cause), einen Penalty bekommen/erhalten (to get/receive), einen Penalty schießen/ausführen (to shoot/take), einen Penalty verwandeln (to convert), einen Penalty halten/parieren (to save/parry).
- Context: Game reports (Spielberichte), sports news (Sportnachrichten), discussions among fans, rules explanations (Regelkunde).
- Differentiation: While Penalty is often used synonymously with Strafstoß or Elfmeter (in soccer), it sounds a bit more international or technical. In general usage, the German equivalents are more common. The word Strafe is much more general and refers to any kind of sanction, not just in sports.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article Mnemonic: Think of DER Spieler (the player), DER Schütze (the shooter), DER Torwart (the goalkeeper) – the main actors in a penalty are often associated with masculine nouns in German. This helps remember DER Penalty.
Meaning Mnemonic: The English word "Penalty" sounds similar to the German word Pein (agony, pain). A foul leading to a penalty often causes 'pain' for the fouled team and potential 'pain' (consequences) for the fouling team due to the scoring chance.
🔁 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (mainly sports):
Similar, potentially misleading words:
- Die Pönale: A legal/business term for a contractual penalty (Vertragsstrafe). Sounds similar but has a different meaning and gender (die).
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Fußballtrainer seinen neuen Stürmer: "Kannst du eigentlich Penaltys schießen?" Sagt der Stürmer: "Klar, Trainer! Ich treffe immer genau den Pfosten – mal den linken, mal den rechten!"
(The football coach asks his new striker: "Can you actually shoot penalties?" The striker says: "Sure, coach! I always hit the post exactly – sometimes the left one, sometimes the right one!")
📜 A Short Poem
Ein Foul im Strafraum, oh wie dumm,
Der Pfiff ertönt, das Spiel steht stumm.
Der Schütze tritt an, ganz allein,
Der Penalty muss jetzt rein!
Der Torwart zuckt, der Ball, er fliegt,
Ein Tor! Die Menge tobt und siegt.
(A foul in the box, oh how dumb,
The whistle sounds, the game stands numb.
The shooter steps up, all alone,
The penalty must now be sown!
The keeper twitches, the ball takes flight,
A goal! The crowd roars with delight.)
❓ Little Riddle
Ich bin eine Strafe auf dem Feld,
oft wichtiger als Gut und Geld.
Ein Spieler gegen einen Wächter,
wer ist der Sieger, wer der Schlechter?
Im Fußball nennt man mich auch Elfmeter.
Was bin ich? (I am a punishment on the field, often more important than goods and gold. One player against one guard, who is the winner, who the worse? In soccer, I'm also called 'Elfmeter'.)
(Answer: Der Penalty)
ℹ️ Trivia
Etymology: The word Penalty comes directly from English, where it means "punishment" or "sanction". It derives from the Latin poenalitas (liability to punishment) or poena (punishment, penalty).
Usage in Darts: The term "Penalty" also exists in darts, for example, if a player steps over the line (oche).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Penalty?
The word "Penalty" in German is a masculine noun. The correct article is der. It is mainly used in sports contexts (e.g., as a synonym for Strafstoß). Its declension follows the standard rules for masculine nouns (Genitive: des Penaltys, Plural: die Penaltys).
