How do you say goal or gate (Tor) in German?

It’s what sends the crowd cheering in a stadium, what you aim for on the field - or sometimes, what stands open at a castle or a garden. In German, it’s das Tor. This is your German Word of the Day - short, powerful, and packed with meaning, whether you’re scoring in soccer or walking through a giant gate.

The noun Tor means goal (in sports) or gate (as in a large entrance), and it’s one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German. It’s a common word with two main meanings: one referring to an entrance and the other to a sports goal.

It’s a neuter noun, so we say das Tor (not sure when to use das? Our video lesson teaches you how to master German gender quickly and confidently).

Pronunciation

Tor is pronounced [TOHR]

• Roughly like “tore,” but keep the German o steady and rounded

• One syllable

• Long, rounded o; the final r is often vocalized, though some speakers pronounce it as a consonant.

Example sentences

• Das Tor fiel in der letzten Minute.The goal was scored in the last minute.

• Die Kinder spielen im Garten Fußball und zählen die Tore.The kids are playing soccer in the yard and counting goals.

• Das große Tor war verschlossen.The large gate was locked.

Nuance and usage tips

Tor has two main uses:

1. 🏟️ In sports (especially soccer/football):

   • ein Tor schießen - to score a goal

   • ein Tor kassieren - to concede a goal

   • Torwart / Torhüter - goalkeeper

   • Torlinie - goal line

   • Eigentor - own goal

   • Tor des Monats - goal of the month (famous segment on German TV)

2. 🏰 As a gate or grand doorway:

   • Stadttor - city gate

   • Schlosstor - castle gate

   • Eisentor - iron gate

   • Tor zur Welt - gateway to the world (nickname for Hamburg)

🛑 Don’t confuse das Tor (goal/gate) with der Tor (an old, rare word meaning “fool”). And a goal in the sense of an aim is das Ziel.