Translation of German word "spielen" to English
spielen
/ˈʃpiːlən/
Meaning
VerbTo act in a manner such that one has fun; to engage in activities expressly for the purpose of recreation or entertainment.
How to use
The weak verb spielen ('to play / act / perform') conjugates regularly: ich spiele, du spielst, er spielt, hat gespielt. It is used for games, sports (requires direct object in accusative without prepositions, e.g., Fußball spielen), and playing musical instruments (Gitarre spielen).
🇬🇧 English
to play
Example
Die Frau spielt mit Kindern und singt Lieder.
The woman plays with children and sings songs.
Er spielt nur mit ihrer Zuneigung.
He's just playing with her affection.
Your personal vocabulary
🦊 Use this word in a live AI conversationSynonyms
Common phrases
- eine Rolle spielen— to play a role / matter (idiom)
- Karten spielen— to play cards
- Klavier spielen— to play the piano
This concept in other languages
📖 Related grammar
🦊 Conjugation of the verb "spielen"Full conjugation →
Present Tense (Präsens)
Simple Past (Präteritum)
Perfect (Perfekt)
ich habe gespielt
Imperative (Imperativ)
Frequency rank: #172 in German
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the definition of the German word "spielen"?▼
The German word "spielen" is defined as: "To act in a manner such that one has fun; to engage in activities expressly for the purpose of recreation or entertainment."
What does the German word "spielen" mean?▼
The German word "spielen" means "to play" in English.
How do you pronounce the German word "spielen"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "spielen" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "spielen"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Ich spiele mit dem Hund und werfe ihm einen Ball." (which translates as "The woman plays with children and sings songs.").
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