In German
Fußball
Meaning: soccer, football
Example sentences
IchspielegernFußball.
I like to play soccer.
DasFußballspielbeginntumdreiUhr.
The soccer match starts at three o'clock.
DeutschlandliebtFußball.
Germany loves soccer.
Grammar note
“Der Fußball” is masculine, literally “foot-ball”. It names both the sport and the ball itself — context tells them apart: “Ich spiele Fußball” (I play soccer) versus “Wirf mir den Fußball zu” (throw me the soccer ball).
Common mistake
Don't say “Fußball” when you mean American football — that's “American Football” (borrowed as-is) in German. “Fußball” always means what the US calls soccer.
Quick check
Which German word means “soccer”?
More words on this topic
Keep learning German
Practise it in a lesson →Frequently asked questions
Is “Fußball” masculine, feminine or neuter?
Masculine: “der Fußball”.
Does “Fußball” ever mean American football?
No — American football is borrowed as “American Football” in German; “Fußball” is always soccer.