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How to Say ‘I thought the ball was in.’ in German

Ich dachte, der Ball ist drin.

ikh DAHK-tuh dair bahl ist drin

[ikh DAHK-tuh dair bahl ist drin]

💬 Usage Tip: Notice the comma before the clause after "Ich dachte". Very natural spoken reaction after a close call.

🇩🇪 In Germany: Perfect line for a dramatic World Cup 2026 almost-goal moment.

Phrase Breakdown

Ich

[ikh]

I

First-person singular pronoun for the speaker.

Example

Ich dachte, der Ball ist drin. Ich habe schon gejubelt.

I thought the ball was in. I had already started cheering.

dachte

[DAHK-tuh]

thought

Past tense of 'denken'; expresses what someone believed.

Example

Ich dachte, der Ball ist drin. Dann sah ich den Pfosten.

I thought the ball was in. Then I saw the post.

der

[dair]

the

Masculine definite article introducing 'Ball'.

Example

Ich dachte, der Ball ist drin. Der Schuss war so knapp.

I thought the ball was in. The shot was so close.

Ball

[bahl]

ball

The football being discussed in the play.

Example

Ich dachte, der Ball ist drin. Alle im Stadion hielten den Atem an.

I thought the ball was in. Everyone in the stadium held their breath.

ist

[ist]

is

Present tense of 'sein', here in reported reaction.

Example

Ich dachte, der Ball ist drin. Es sah wirklich so aus.

I thought the ball was in. It really looked that way.

drin

[drin]

in; inside

Common sports expression meaning a shot has gone in.

Example

Ich dachte, der Ball ist drin. Aber er war es nicht.

I thought the ball was in. But it wasn’t.

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