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German Phrase

Gibt's einen Schachverein?

/ɡɪp͡ts ˈaɪ̯nən ˈʃaχˌfɛʁˈaɪ̯n/
Meaning"Is there a chess club?"
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Meaning

The speaker is asking whether a chess club exists, typically in the current town, school, university or community. It’s a short, informal way to inquire about the presence of an organized group for playing chess.

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When to use

Use this sentence in casual conversation when you’re looking for a place to play chess, e.g., after moving to a new city, during a school orientation, or when a friend mentions a hobby and you want to join.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Gibt'seinenSchachverein?

1

Gibt's (Gibt es)

A colloquial contraction of "gibt es" (there is/are). Used in informal spoken German.

2

Impersonal verb geben

"geben" is used impersonally with "es" to express existence; the subject is the thing that exists, which appears in the accusative case.

3

Accusative masculine "einen"

Because "Schachverein" is masculine, the indefinite article takes the accusative form "einen".

4

Noun "Schachverein"

Compound noun: "Schach" (chess) + "Verein" (club). Always capitalized in German.

🗨In Conversation

A

Gibt's einen Schachverein?

Is there a chess club?

Ja, wir treffen uns jeden Mittwoch im Kulturhaus.

Yes, we meet every Wednesday at the community centre.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Gibt einen Schachverein?

    Missing the dummy subject "es"; the impersonal construction requires "es" (or its contraction).

  • Gibt's ein Schachverein?

    Wrong case – after "gibt es" the noun is accusative, so the article must be "einen" for masculine nouns.

  • Gibt's einen Schachvereins?

    Incorrect genitive ending; the noun stays in the accusative, no "-s" added.

↔Alternatives

  • Gibt es einen Schachverein?

    Is there a chess club?

  • Gibt es hier einen Schachverein?

    Is there a chess club here?

  • Gibt es in der Nähe einen Schachverein?

    Is there a chess club nearby?

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Cultural Tip

In German‑speaking countries, "Vereine" (clubs) are a cornerstone of community life. Most towns have a Schachverein that meets regularly, often in a town hall or sports centre. When asking, the informal "Gibt's..." is fine among peers, but in more formal settings you might prefer the full "Gibt es...".