die
Tagesschau
📰 What exactly is die Tagesschau?
Die Tagesschau is the name of Germany's oldest and most-watched television news program. It is produced by ARD (Arbeitsgemeinschaft der öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunkanstalten der Bundesrepublik Deutschland - Consortium of public broadcasters in Germany) and broadcast daily, with the main edition at 8:00 PM (20:00 Uhr).
It is a proper noun, so the word is always capitalized and has the fixed article die (feminine). There are no other meanings or articles for this specific word.
The word is composed of Tag (day) + -es- (genitive connector) + Schau (show, view, look). So it literally means something like “day's show” or “daily review”.
🧐 Grammar: The Constant Companion of Tagesschau
Since die Tagesschau is a proper noun for a TV show, the article is fixed as die (feminine). The word is generally used only in the singular.
| Case | Definite Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | die | Tagesschau |
| Genitive (Whose?) | der | Tagesschau |
| Dative (To/For Whom?) | der | Tagesschau |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | die | Tagesschau |
A plural form is usually not used, as it refers to the name of a specific program. One could theoretically talk about “mehreren Tagesschauen” (several Tagesschau editions), but this is very uncommon.
Example Sentences
- Hast du gestern die Tagesschau gesehen? (Did you watch the Tagesschau yesterday?)
- Die Nachrichten in der Tagesschau waren heute sehr interessant. (The news on the Tagesschau today was very interesting.)
- Ich informiere mich jeden Abend mit der Tagesschau. (I get my information every evening from the Tagesschau.)
- Schalte bitte um 20 Uhr die Tagesschau ein. (Please turn on the Tagesschau at 8 PM.)
🗣️ How to use „die Tagesschau“?
Die Tagesschau is used almost exclusively to refer to the specific news program broadcast by ARD. It's an institution in German television and, for many, a fixture in their daily routine, especially the main 8:00 PM edition.
- Typical Usage: "Ich schaue die Tagesschau." (I watch the Tagesschau.), "Die Tagesschau hat berichtet, dass..." (The Tagesschau reported that...), "Die Sprecherin der Tagesschau" (The Tagesschau anchorwoman).
- Context: Mostly in connection with news, current events, politics, and the TV schedule.
- Distinction: Not to be confused with "Tagesthemen" (another, later ARD news program with more in-depth reports) or general terms like "Nachrichten" (news) or "Nachrichtensendung" (news broadcast). "Die Tagesschau" is specific.
- Cultural Significance: It is considered serious, reliable, and neutral. The start of the 8 PM broadcast with its famous chime (Gong) is iconic.
🧠 Mnemonics for Tagesschau
Article Mnemonic: The component word Schau (show/view) is feminine (die Schau), so die Tagesschau is also feminine. Think: Die - the daily show of news.
Meaning Mnemonic: The program shows the „Schau“ (the view/overview) of the „Tages“ (the day's) events. Simple: Tagesschau = Day's Show/View.
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Conditional)
As it's a proper noun, there are no true synonyms. However, you can describe it:
- Nachrichtensendung der ARD (ARD's news program)
- 20-Uhr-Nachrichten (8 PM news - often refers to the Tagesschau)
- Nachrichten (News - general term)
Antonyms (Broad Sense)
No direct antonyms, but contrasting concepts:
- Unterhaltungssendung (Entertainment show)
- Fake News / Desinformation (Fake news / Disinformation)
- Klatschmagazin (Gossip magazine)
Similar, but Different Terms
- Tagesthemen: A later ARD news program with more analysis.
- heute / heute-journal: Comparable news programs from the broadcaster ZDF.
- RTL Aktuell / Sat.1 Nachrichten: News programs from private broadcasters.
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Enkel den Opa: „Opa, warum seufzt du immer so erleichtert, wenn die Tagesschau vorbei ist?“
Sagt der Opa: „Weil ich dann wieder weiß, dass die Welt noch mindestens 15 Minuten länger durchgehalten hat!“
Translation:
The grandson asks his grandpa: "Grandpa, why do you always sigh with relief when the Tagesschau is over?"
The grandpa says: "Because then I know again that the world has held on for at least another 15 minutes!"
📜 Prime Time Poem
Pünktlich um acht, der Gong erklingt,
Die Tagesschau die Kunde bringt.
Aus aller Welt, was grad geschah,
Berichtet kurz und sachlich klar.
Ein fester Punkt im Tageslauf,
Man schaut gebannt die Nachrichten auf.
Translation:
Promptly at eight, the chime resounds,
Die Tagesschau the news propounds.
From all the world, what just took place,
Reported briefly, with factual grace.
A fixed point in the daily race,
We watch intently news embrace.
❓ Riddle Time
Ich komme jeden Abend um acht,
habe Nachrichten für dich mitgebracht.
Mein Name klingt nach Blick auf den Tag,
im Ersten Deutschen Fernsehen man mich mag.
Wer bin ich?
Translation:
I come every evening at eight,
Bringing news for you, it's not late.
My name sounds like a view of the day,
On Germany's first channel, I hold sway.
Who am I?
Answer: die Tagesschau
💡 Other Interesting Facts
- First Broadcast: December 26, 1952. This makes it the oldest existing news program on German television.
- Music: The theme music („Hammond-Fantasie“) is very famous and has only been slightly adapted over the years.
- Anchors: The anchors (Sprecherinnen und Sprecher) of the Tagesschau are highly regarded and considered the epitome of serious news delivery.
- Word Composition: The word is a compound of der Tag (genitive: des Tages - the day) and die Schau (the show/view). The "-es-" is a connecting sound (Fugenlaut), specifically the genitive 's'.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Tagesschau?
The word "Tagesschau" is the proper name of a famous German news program and therefore always takes the definite article die. It is a feminine noun (because of "die Schau") and is used only in the singular. So, it is always: die Tagesschau.