die
Tombola
🎰 What exactly is a Tombola?
The word Tombola (feminine, article 'die') refers to a specific type of raffle or lottery where tickets (Lose) are sold, and the prizes are usually goods (Sachpreise) rather than money. Tombolas often take place at festivals (Feste), charity events (Wohltätigkeitsveranstaltungen), or club celebrations (Vereinsfeiern).
The name derives from the Italian verb tombolare, meaning 'to tumble' or 'to roll', referring to the mixing of the lots in a drum.
There's only this one meaning and the corresponding article 'die'.
🧐 Grammar of 'die Tombola'
The word 'Tombola' is a feminine noun. The article is always 'die'.
Declension:
| Case (Kasus) | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (1. Fall) | die Tombola | eine Tombola |
| Genitive (2. Fall) | der Tombola | einer Tombola |
| Dative (3. Fall) | der Tombola | einer Tombola |
| Accusative (4. Fall) | die Tombola | eine Tombola |
| Case (Kasus) | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Tombolas | Tombolas |
| Genitive | der Tombolas | Tombolas |
| Dative | den Tombolas | Tombolas |
| Accusative | die Tombolas | Tombolas |
Example Sentences:
- Bei der Schulfeier gab es eine große Tombola.
(There was a big raffle at the school party.) - Wir haben viele Lose für die Tombola gekauft.
(We bought many tickets for the raffle.) - Der Hauptpreis der Tombola war ein Fahrrad.
(The main prize of the raffle was a bicycle.) - Mit den Einnahmen aus den Tombolas wird der Verein unterstützt.
(The club is supported with the proceeds from the raffles.)
🎉 How is 'Tombola' used?
The term 'Tombola' is mainly used in the context of events where prizes are raffled off.
- Context: Feste (festivals), Jahrmärkte (fairs), company parties, school events, charity events.
- Purpose: Often for entertainment, but also frequently for fundraising (Spendensammlung).
- Difference from Lotterie: While a Lotterie often focuses on cash prizes and can be state-organized, a Tombola typically features non-cash prizes (Sachpreise) and often operates on a smaller, local scale. However, the distinction can be blurry.
- Typical phrases: 'eine Tombola veranstalten' (to organize a raffle), 'Lose für die Tombola verkaufen' (to sell raffle tickets), 'bei der Tombola gewinnen' (to win at the raffle).
🧠 Mnemonics for Tombola
Article 'die': Imagine a die-hard fan hoping to win at the Tombola. The 'a' ending is also a common indicator for feminine nouns in German.
Meaning (Raffle): Think of the tickets *tom*bling around in a big drum (like Italian tombolare) before being drawn.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Verlosung: A more general term for raffling off prizes.
- Lotterie: Similar, often larger scale and potentially with cash prizes.
- Glücksspiel: (Game of chance) - A broader term including other luck-based games.
- Glückstopf: (Lucky pot) - Colloquial term for a raffle where you draw lots.
Antonyms (Opposite Concepts):
- Gezielter Kauf: (Targeted purchase) - Choosing and buying a specific item, no element of chance.
- Wettbewerb (mit Fähigkeitsprüfung): (Competition with skill test) - Winning based on performance or knowledge, not luck.
- Auktion / Versteigerung: (Auction) - Price determined by bidding, not by lot.
Could it be misleading?
The word 'Tombola' is quite specific. Confusion with other words is unlikely.
😂 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Mathematiker bei der Tombola nichts gewonnen?
Er hat die Wahrscheinlichkeit berechnet und fand sie zu gering, um überhaupt ein Los zu kaufen!
(Why did the mathematician win nothing at the raffle?
He calculated the probability and found it too low to even buy a ticket!)
✍️ Poem about a Tombola
Bunte Lose, Trommel dreht,
Hoffnung, die im Herzen weht.
Die Tombola, voll Spannung pur,
wer gewinnt die schöne Uhr?
Ein Los gekauft, das Glück versucht,
ob der Hauptpreis wird gebucht?
Festefeier, Spaß dabei,
Gewonnen? Nein? Einerlei!
(Colorful tickets, the drum turns,
Hope that wafts in the heart.
The Tombola, full of pure suspense,
who will win the beautiful watch?
A ticket bought, luck attempted,
will the grand prize be booked?
Festival celebration, fun involved,
Won? No? Never mind!)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich habe Lose, aber keine Schulden.
Ich bringe Preise, ohne zu verkaufen.
Man findet mich auf Festen, groß und klein,
mein Name klingt italienisch fein.
Was bin ich?
(I have lots/tickets, but no debts.
I bring prizes, without selling.
You find me at festivals, big and small,
my name sounds finely Italian.
What am I?)
(Answer: die Tombola)
💡 Other Information
Word Origin: As mentioned, 'Tombola' comes from the Italian verb tombolare ('to tumble', 'to roll'). This likely originally referred to the sound of the wooden balls or cylinders with the lot numbers tumbling around in the raffle drum.
Typical Prizes: Prizes at a Tombola are often donated and range from small consolation prizes (e.g., sweets, pens) to larger main prizes (e.g., electronics, travel vouchers, bicycles).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Tombola?
The word 'Tombola' is always feminine. The correct article is die Tombola.