der
Spielplan
🗓️ What does "der Spielplan" mean?
Der Spielplan (masculine) is a plan or schedule that determines when and where specific games, performances, or events take place. You'll often find it in the context of:
- ⚽ Sports: A list of matches for a league or tournament, often including date, time, location, and participating teams (e.g., Bundesliga-Spielplan - Bundesliga schedule/fixture list).
- 🎭 Theater/Opera/Cinema: A program showing which plays, operas, or films are being performed or screened and when.
- 🎲 Games/Events: A schedule for various activities or rounds during a game night or event.
Essentially, it's a specific type of Zeitplan (schedule) or Programm (program) that relates to 'games' in the broadest sense (sports competitions, theatrical plays, etc.).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-an → almost always masculine.
Caution: Most country names in German do not have an article and are neutral. You say "nach" plus country, like "nach Japan". But some countries have an article, for example "der Sudan". Then you say "in den" plus the country, like "in den Sudan".
🧐 Grammar of "der Spielplan" in Detail
The word "Spielplan" is a masculine noun. The article is der. Its declension is as follows:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Spielplan |
| Genitive | des | Spielplan(e)s |
| Dative | dem | Spielplan |
| Accusative | den | Spielplan |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Spielpläne |
| Genitive | der | Spielpläne |
| Dative | den | Spielplänen |
| Accusative | die | Spielpläne |
Example Sentences
- Der neue Spielplan für die Saison wurde veröffentlicht.
(The new schedule for the season has been published.) - Wir müssen uns den Spielplan des Theaters für nächsten Monat ansehen.
(We need to look at the theater's program for next month.) - Aufgrund des schlechten Wetters gab es Änderungen des Spielplans.
(Due to the bad weather, there were changes to the schedule.) - Die Fans warten gespannt auf die nächsten Spielpläne.
(The fans are eagerly awaiting the next schedules.)
💡 How to use "Spielplan"?
Der Spielplan is primarily used in specific contexts:
- Sports: Very common for leagues (Fußball-Bundesliga, Handball-Liga), tournaments (Weltmeisterschaft - World Cup, Pokalwettbewerb - cup competition). Here, it determines who plays against whom and when. Example: "Der Spielplan sieht ein Heimspiel am Samstag vor." (The schedule includes a home game on Saturday.)
- Culture: In theaters, opera houses, concert halls, or cinemas, the Spielplan refers to the program of performances or screenings for a specific period. Example: "Laut Spielplan läuft der neue Film erst nächste Woche an." (According to the program, the new movie doesn't start until next week.)
- Project Management/Planning (less common): Sometimes the term is used metaphorically for a detailed timeline involving various 'moves' or phases, similar to a game. However, this is less common than using Zeitplan (schedule/timeline) or Projektplan (project plan).
⚠️ Distinction: A Fahrplan refers to public transport schedules, a Stundenplan refers to school/university timetables, and a Zeitplan is a more general term for any kind of time-based planning.
🧠 Mnemonics for "der Spielplan"
Article Mnemonic: Think of der Plan (the plan). A plan is often something solid, structured, maybe considered 'masculine' in grammatical gender terms. The Spielplan is a specific type of plan, so it's der Spielplan.
Meaning Mnemonic: Break down the word: Spiel (game/play) + Plan (plan/schedule). It's simply a plan for Spiele (games in sports) or Spiele (plays in theater). A plan that shows when the playing happens!
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Programm (program, especially in theater/cinema)
- Terminplan (schedule, timetable - more general, but often fits)
- Ablaufplan (sequence plan, itinerary - focuses on the order)
- Ansetzung (fixture - specifically in sports for a single match)
- Fixture List / Schedule (English terms, often used in sports context)
Similar but different words:
- Zeitplan: More general schedule, not just for games/performances.
- Fahrplan: Only for transport.
- Stundenplan: For class schedules.
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Trainer seine Mannschaft vor dem Spiel: "Habt ihr den Spielplan verstanden?"
Antwortet der Kapitän: "Ja, Trainer! Aber hat der Gegner ihn auch gelesen?"
(The coach asks his team before the game: "Did you understand the game plan/schedule?"
The captain replies: "Yes, coach! But has the opponent read it too?")
📜 Poem about the Spielplan
Der Spielplan hängt, gedruckt und klar,
Zeigt an, was kommt, das ganze Jahr.
Im Stadion, laut der Fans Gesang,
Im Theater, leise, Stundelang.
Wer spielt wann, und wo und gegen wen?
Der Plan lässt uns die Antwort seh'n.
Er gibt Struktur, schafft Vorfreude,
Bis zum Anpfiff, heut' und heute.
(The schedule hangs, printed and clear,
Shows what's coming, the whole year.
In the stadium, loud the fans' song,
In the theater, quiet, hours long.
Who plays when, and where, against whom?
The plan lets us see the answer bloom.
It gives structure, creates anticipation's gleam,
Until the kickoff, a recurring dream.)
🧩 Riddle Time
Ich sage dir, wann Helden spielen,
Auf Bühnenbrettern oder grünen Zielen.
Ich liste auf, wer wann antritt,
Im Sport, im Drama, Schritt für Schritt.
Ohne mich wär' alles wirr,
Wer weiß schon, wann was läuft von hier?
Ich bin der Leitfaden, schwarz auf weiß.
Was bin ich, auf der Zeitendreis'?
(Lösung: der Spielplan)
(I tell you when heroes play,
On stage boards or green goals' way.
I list who competes and when,
In sports, in drama, again and again.
Without me, all would be confused,
Who knows when what's on, unamused?
I am the guide, in black and white.
What am I, in time's turning light?
(Solution: der Spielplan - the schedule/program))
✨ More about Spielplan
Word Composition:
The word "Spielplan" is a compound noun, composed of:
- das Spiel: (noun) Meaning here: game, match, performance, play.
- der Plan: (noun) Meaning: plan, schedule, program, scheme.
Together, they form the meaning of a plan for games or performances.
Cultural Significance: The Spielplan is often a central element for fans (in sports) or cultural attendees (in theater), as it outlines the structure and highlights of a season or period.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Spielplan?
The German word Spielplan is masculine. The correct article is der Spielplan. It refers to a schedule, timetable, fixture list, or program, typically for sports events or cultural performances (like theater or concerts).