der
Strafraum
⚽ What exactly is 'der Strafraum'?
Der Strafraum (masculine) refers to the rectangular area in front of the goal in football (soccer) and similar sports (like hockey). It's also known as the penalty area or sometimes the 18-yard box (although its metric dimension is 16.5 meters).
Special rules apply within der Strafraum:
- A foul by the defending team on an attacking player results in a Strafstoß (penalty kick).
- The goalkeeper is allowed to touch the ball with their hands within this area.
It's a clearly defined and very important area on the pitch. ⚠️ Don't confuse it with the smaller Torraum (goal area or six-yard box), which is located inside der Strafraum.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-aum → always masculine.
Caution: 'der Raum' but 'das Zimmer'
📐 Grammar: 'Der Strafraum' in Detail
The word "Strafraum" is a masculine noun. It uses the article der.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Strafraum |
| Genitive | des | Strafraums / Strafraumes |
| Dative | dem | Strafraum / Strafraume |
| Accusative | den | Strafraum |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Strafräume |
| Genitive | der | Strafräume |
| Dative | den | Strafräumen |
| Accusative | die | Strafräume |
Example Sentences
- Der Stürmer dribbelte in den Strafraum. (The forward dribbled into the penalty area.)
- Ein Foul im Strafraum führt oft zu einem Elfmeter. (A foul in the penalty area often leads to a penalty kick.)
- Der Torwart ist Herr des Strafraums. (The goalkeeper is master of the penalty area.)
- Viele Spieler versammelten sich in den Strafräumen beider Teams. (Many players gathered in the penalty areas of both teams.)
🗣️ Usage in Context
The term Strafraum is used almost exclusively in the context of sports like football (soccer). It's common in both technical language (commentators, players, coaches) and the everyday language of fans.
- Typical Situations: Discussing fouls, penalty decisions, tactics (e.g., defending den Strafraum), player positioning.
- Synonyms: Colloquially, Germans often use "Sechzehner" (sixteener) or, less commonly, "Elfmeterraum" (penalty kick area). However, "Strafraum" is the officially correct term.
- Distinction: It's important to distinguish it from the Torraum (also Fünfmeterraum or goal area/six-yard box), the smaller rectangle directly in front of the goal.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
- For the article 'der': Think of the referee (often male, stereotypically 'der Mann') pointing sternly in DER Strafraum to impose a Strafe (penalty). Or: Think of the derby, where fouls in der Strafraum are extra tense.
- For the meaning: The Straf-Raum is the room (Raum) where an offense leads to a special punishment (Strafe) – the penalty kick.
Imagine DER Sheriff patrolling the STRAnge ROOM (Straf-Raum) where rule-breakers get punished (Strafe).
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
Antonyms/Opposing Concepts:
- Mittelfeld: The area between the two penalty areas (midfield).
- Eigene Hälfte / Gegnerische Hälfte: Larger pitch areas (own half / opposing half).
- Außerhalb des Strafraums: Fouls here result in free kicks, not penalties (outside the penalty area).
🚨 Similar but different terms:
- Torraum (Fünfmeterraum): The smaller area within der Strafraum directly in front of the goal (goal area / six-yard box).
- Strafstoßpunkt (Elfmeterpunkt): The spot inside der Strafraum from which the penalty kick is taken (penalty spot).
😂 A Little Joke
German: Warum nehmen Fußballspieler einen Stift mit in den Strafraum? – Damit sie einen Elfmeter "zeichnen" können!
English: Why do football players take a pen into the penalty area? – So they can "draw" a penalty! 😉 (A pun on "draw a penalty" meaning to win a penalty by being fouled, and literally drawing with a pen)
📜 A Poem about the 'Strafraum'
Der Strafraum, heiß umkämpftes Land,
Wo Helden fallen, Hand in Hand.
Sechzehn Meter, Linie weiß,
Ein Foul hier hat 'nen hohen Preis.
Der Torwart wacht, der Stürmer lauert,
Spannung, die Sekunden dauert.
Ein Pfiff ertönt, die Menge bebt,
Im Strafraum wird Geschichte gelebt.
Translation:
The Penalty Box, hotly contested land,
Where heroes fall, hand in hand.
Sixteen meters, line of white,
A foul here comes at a high price.
The keeper watches, the striker waits,
Tension that seconds escalates.
A whistle blows, the crowd does shake,
In the penalty box, history they make.
❓ Little Riddle
Ich bin ein Rechteck auf dem Feld,
Wo oft ein Schrei zum Himmel gellt.
Ein Foul in mir, das ist fatal,
Bringt meist 'ne Strafe, keine Wahl.
Der Torwart darf mich mit der Hand berühren,
Verteidiger müssen Nerven spüren.
Was bin ich?
Translation:
I am a rectangle on the field,
Where often a cry to heaven is yelled.
A foul within me is quite dire,
Usually brings punishment, fuels the fire.
The keeper can touch me with their hand,
Defenders must nervously stand.
What am I?
Der Strafraum (The penalty area)Answer
🧩 Word Components & Trivia
Word Composition:
Der Strafraum is composed of:
- Die Strafe: Meaning punishment or penalty, referring to the consequence (penalty kick) for fouls committed within this area.
- Der Raum: Meaning space or area, referring to the defined zone on the pitch.
Trivia:
- The exact dimensions of der Strafraum are internationally defined by FIFA rules: 16.5 m (18 yards) extending from the goal line and 40.3 m (44 yards) wide.
- The Strafstoßpunkt (penalty spot) is exactly 11 meters (12 yards) from the center of the goal line.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Strafraum?
The word "Strafraum" is masculine. The correct article is der. So you say: der Strafraum.