Spel

Spel is a term used in several Germanic languages that generally denotes a game or the act of playing. In Dutch and Afrikaans, the primary sense is a game or match, but the word also appears in broader phrases related to playing. For example, een spelletje means a small game, and spelregels refers to the rules of the game. The related verb spelen means to play.

In Swedish, spel likewise means game or play and is used in compounds such as brädspel (board game) and videospel (video game). The sense extends to sports contests and other structured recreational activities described as games.

Etymology and related forms: Spel belongs to the Germanic language family and has cognates across Dutch, Afrikaans, Swedish, and German (Spiel). These forms reflect a common root referring to play, competition, and rule-governed activity. The exact evolution of the word varies by language, but the core meaning remains aligned with 'game' or 'play' across these languages.