der Stammspieler
Translation
regular player, first-team player, starter
Examples
Er ist Stammspieler in der Nationalmannschaft.
He is a regular player on the national team.
Der Trainer hat zwei Stammspieler geschont.
The coach rested two regular players.
Grammar Patterns
to be in+dat ((in sth.)) He is a regular player on the team.
Similar Words
Leistungsträger (key player); Antonyms: Ersatzspieler (substitute player)
Etymology
A compound of 'Stamm' (trunk, tribe, regular group) + 'Spieler' (player). Literally a 'trunk player' or 'core player'.
Memory Tips
Think of the 'Stamm' (trunk) of a tree – the core, essential part. A 'Stammspieler' is the core of the team.