die  Zeichnung

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈtsaɪçnʊŋ/

🎨 What does 'die Zeichnung' mean?

Die Zeichnung (noun, feminine) has several meanings:

• A picture or representation: Usually created with lines using pencils, charcoal, chalk, etc., on a surface like paper. This can be artistic or illustrative. Example: Eine Bleistiftzeichnung eines Porträts (a pencil drawing of a portrait).
• A technical plan or draft: A detailed representation of objects, buildings, or machines, often to scale, for construction or manufacturing purposes. Also known as a blueprint or technical drawing. Example: Die technische Zeichnung des Motors (the technical drawing of the engine).
• Finance (less common): The binding declaration to purchase shares, bonds, or other securities upon their issuance (subscription). Example: Die Zeichnung der neuen Aktien war erfolgreich (The subscription of the new shares was successful).

🚨 Attention: Although all meanings use 'die Zeichnung', the context is crucial for understanding.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of 'die Zeichnung' in Detail

The word 'Zeichnung' is a feminine noun. The article is always die. Nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine in German.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Das Kind zeigte stolz seine Zeichnung vom Haus. (The child proudly showed its drawing of the house.)
2. Der Architekt überprüfte die Zeichnungen für das neue Gebäude. (The architect checked the drawings/blueprints for the new building.)
3. Die Frist für die Zeichnung der Anleihe endet morgen. (The deadline for the subscription of the bond ends tomorrow.)
4. In der Galerie hängen viele interessante Zeichnungen. (There are many interesting drawings hanging in the gallery.)

💡 How to use 'die Zeichnung'?

The use of die Zeichnung strongly depends on the context:

• In everyday life and art: Here, 'Zeichnung' usually refers to a picture created with lines. One might speak of Bleistiftzeichnungen (pencil drawings), Kohlezeichnungen (charcoal drawings), Tuschezeichnungen (ink drawings), etc. It differs from a Gemälde (painting, made with colours) or a Foto (photograph).
• In technology, architecture, and crafts: Here, 'Zeichnung' is a precise plan or draft. One talks about technische Zeichnungen (technical drawings), Bauzeichnungen (architectural drawings/blueprints), Konstruktionszeichnungen (construction drawings). They contain measurements and specifications. Synonyms here are often Plan (plan), Riss (draft, plan), Entwurf (design, draft).
• In finance: This is a specific technical term for the subscription of securities. It's used less frequently in general conversation.

Confusion is rare as the context usually makes the meaning clear. The corresponding verb is 'zeichnen'.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'Zeichnung'

For the article: Words ending in '-ung' often signify the result of an action and are typically feminine (die). Think of the act ('zeichnen') being put into a feminine 'box' (-ung) -> die Zeichnung.

For the meaning: Think of making 'Zeichen' (signs, marks). A Zeichnung is the result (-ung ending) of putting many signs (lines, strokes) onto paper.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Be cautious with 'Entwurf': It can mean both a preliminary sketch (synonym for artistic drawing) and a technical plan/design.

😂 A Little Joke

(DE) Fragt der Kunstlehrer: "Wer von euch kann mir sagen, was eine abstrakte Zeichnung ist?" Meldet sich Fritzchen: "Das ist, wenn man nicht weiß, was es werden soll, aber trotzdem weitermacht!"

(EN) The art teacher asks: "Who can tell me what an abstract drawing is?" Little Fritz answers: "That's when you don't know what it's supposed to be, but you keep going anyway!"

📜 Poem about a Drawing

(DE)
Ein Stift, ein Blatt, ganz weiß und leer,
Die Hand beginnt, es ist nicht schwer.
Ein Strich, ein Punkt, ein Bogen fein,
So wird die Welt im Kleinen sein.
Die Zeichnung wächst, wird bunt und klar,
Ein Abbild dessen, was einst war,
Was ist, was kommt, im Kopf erdacht,
Mit Linien auf Papier gebracht.

(EN)
A pen, a sheet, all white and bare,
The hand begins, without a care.
A line, a dot, a curve so fine,
Thus the world in small will shine.
The drawing grows, becomes bright and clear,
A likeness of what once was dear,
What is, what comes, conceived in thought,
With lines on paper, carefully wrought.

❓ Riddle

(DE)
Ich kann ein Haus oder ein Tier darstellen,
Bin manchmal Kunst, manchmal nur Zahlen.
Ingenieure brauchen mich für ihren Plan,
Künstler für das, was ihre Fantasie ersann.
Ich bestehe aus Linien, auf Papier gebracht,
Mal schnell skizziert, mal mit Bedacht.

Was bin ich? (Lösung: die Zeichnung)

(EN)
I can show a house or an animal true,
Sometimes I'm art, sometimes numbers for you.
Engineers need me to make their plan,
Artists for things born in their fantasy's span.
I consist of lines, on paper brought,
Sometimes sketched quickly, sometimes with thought.

What am I?
(Answer: die Zeichnung / the drawing)

🧩 Additional Info

Word Formation:

The word 'Zeichnung' is composed of:

• The verb stem 'zeichn-' (from the verb 'zeichnen' - to draw)
• The suffix '-ung', which denotes an action, a process, or its result, and forms feminine nouns.

Interesting Fact: The verb 'zeichnen' can also mean 'to sign' or 'to mark/label'. The financial meaning of 'die Zeichnung' (subscription) is related to the meaning 'to sign' (to commit oneself by signing).