spielende

Spielende is a German term derived from the verb spielen (to play) combined with the present participle suffix -ende. It can function as an attributive adjective before a noun or as a noun in its capitalized form. When used as a noun, Spielende means the end of a game or a game-ending moment, as in sports reporting: Das Spielende war um 20:45 Uhr. As an adjective, spielende describes something in a state of playing, for example das spielende Kind or spielende Kinder.

In grammar, the distinction between the two forms follows standard German rules. The adjective form spielende is declined according to case, number, and article (das spielende Kind, ein spielendes Kind, spielende Kinder). The noun form Spielende is a nominalization and behaves as a masculine noun: das Spielende, des Spielendes, dem Spielende, etc. This nominalized usage emphasizes the concept of the closing phase or conclusion of a game rather than the act of playing itself.

Usage and examples: The adjectival use is common in everyday language to describe ongoing play or persons engaged in play. The nominalized form Rollen kann: Das Spielende ist unberechenbar; Das Spielende wurde lange erwartet. In journalism and formal writing, Spielende is often preferred when referring to the end state or conclusion of a match, competition, or game.

See also: Spiel, Ende.