das  Fernsehen

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈfɛʁnˌzeːən/

📺 What does "das Fernsehen" mean?

The German word das Fernsehen primarily has two meanings:

1. The Medium/Institution: It refers to the system of broadcasting moving images and sound, as well as the collective television channels and programming. Example: Das deutsche Fernsehen bietet viele verschiedene Sender. (German television offers many different channels.)
2. The Activity: It describes the act of watching television programs. Example: Nach der Arbeit entspanne ich mich beim Fernsehen. (After work, I relax by watching television.)

It almost exclusively uses the neuter article das. It's a so-called Neutrum.

🚨 Attention: Do not confuse das Fernsehen (the medium or the activity) with der Fernseher (the TV set/device)!

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar of "das Fernsehen" in Detail

Das Fernsehen is a noun of neuter gender (Neutrum). It is mostly treated as uncountable and therefore predominantly used in the singular. A plural form is uncommon when referring to the medium or the activity. If talking about multiple TV stations or broadcasters, one might use descriptive phrases or contextually 'die Fernsehen', but this is rare.

Declension Singular

📝 Example Sentences

• Nominative: Das Fernsehen hat einen großen Einfluss. (Television has a big influence.)
• Genitive: Die Geschichte des Fernsehens ist interessant. (The history of television is interesting.)
• Dative: Ich schenke dem Fernsehen wenig Beachtung. (I pay little attention to television.)
• Accusative: Sie schaut das Fernsehen selten. (She rarely watches television.) Note: Often used without the article when describing the activity: Sie schaut selten Fernsehen.

💡 How to Use "das Fernsehen"

Das Fernsehen is an everyday word. Here are typical contexts:

• Talking about the medium: "Was läuft heute im Fernsehen?" (What's on television today?), "Das Fernsehen überträgt das Spiel." (Television is broadcasting the game.)
• Talking about the activity: "Ich schaue gerne Fernsehen." (I like watching television.), "Zu viel Fernsehen ist nicht gesund." (Too much television isn't healthy.) – Note that it's often used without an article here, similar to "Radio hören" (listening to the radio).
• Distinction from der Fernseher: Das Fernsehen is the program content or the act of watching; der Fernseher (or das Fernsehgerät) is the machine you watch on. Example: "Mach bitte den Fernseher an, ich möchte Fernsehen schauen." (Please turn on the TV set, I want to watch television.)

Colloquially, Germans might use "Glotze" or "Flimmerkiste" for the TV set or the medium, but these are informal terms.

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Fernsehen"

For the article 'das': Think of neuter things often associated with media or abstract concepts: das Radio, das Internet, das Medium. Das Fernsehen fits this pattern. Or imagine seeing far away through das Fernglas (binoculars) - 'glas' ends in 's', maybe reminding you of 'das'.

For the meaning: The word is a direct compound of "fern" (far) and "sehen" (to see). You are literally 'far-seeing' when you watch TV!

↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words:

• Der Fernseher: The TV set. Article: der.
• Die Fernsehanstalt: A television broadcasting company/organization. Article: die.
• Die Fernsehsendung: A specific TV show or program. Article: die.

😄 A Little Joke

German: Warum ist es schwer, mit einem Fernseher zu streiten?

Weil er immer das letzte Bild hat!

English Translation: Why is it hard to argue with a television?

Because it always has the last picture! (Pun on 'last word')

✍️ Poem about Television

German:
Bildschirm hell, die Welt so nah,
Das Fernsehen ist für alle da.
Geschichten, Lachen, manchmal Leid,
Vertreibt die lange, stille Zeit.
Von fern gesehen, nah gebracht,
Hat es uns oft den Abend sacht.

English Translation:
Screen bright, the world so near,
Television is for all here.
Stories, laughter, sometimes sorrow,
It passes the long, quiet morrow.
Seen from afar, brought close to gaze,
It often softened evening's haze.

❓ Riddle

German:
Ich bringe dir Bilder aus aller Welt,
ohne dass du reist, kost' es auch kein Geld (direkt).
Ich spreche viel, doch hab keinen Mund,
Und mach dir oft die späten Stunden bunt.

Was bin ich?

Lösung: Das Fernsehen

English Translation:
I bring you pictures from around the globe,
without you traveling, though it might probe (your wallet indirectly).
I speak a lot, but have no mouth,
And often make your late hours less uncouth.

What am I?

Solution: Television (das Fernsehen)

✨ More Insights

Word Composition:

Das Fernsehen is a compound noun (Kompositum), formed from:

• fern: adjective/adverb meaning 'far' or 'distant'.
• sehen: verb meaning 'to see'.

So, it literally describes 'seeing things that are far away'.

Trivia:

• The term "Fernsehen" was coined in the 1920s.
• Regular television broadcasting started in Germany in 1935.