die  Zeitreise

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈtsaɪtˌʁaɪzə/

🕰️ What exactly is a Zeitreise?

Die Zeitreise is the German word for time travel. It describes the conceptual or fictional journey through time, either into the future or the past. It's a popular motif in science fiction literature and films, but also a subject of theoretical physical considerations.

The word is feminine, so it's always die Zeitreise.

🚨 There are no different meanings based on different articles, as only "die" is used.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Zeitreise

The noun "Zeitreise" is feminine. Here is its declension:

Example Sentences

1. Der Film handelte von einer gefährlichen Zeitreise in die Kreidezeit.
   (The movie was about a dangerous time travel to the Cretaceous period.)
2. Theoretisch könnten Zeitreisen Paradoxa verursachen.
   (Theoretically, time travels could cause paradoxes.)
3. Sie träumte von einer Zeitreise, um ihre Vorfahren zu treffen.
   (She dreamed of a time travel to meet her ancestors.)

🚀 When to use "Zeitreise"?

The term die Zeitreise is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Science Fiction: In books, movies, and games, it's a central element to enable adventures in other eras.
• Theoretical Physics/Philosophy: Discussions about the possibility of time travel, often related to Einstein's theory of relativity or wormholes.
• Metaphorically: Sometimes the term is used metaphorically to describe an intense engagement with the past or future (e.g., "eine gedankliche Zeitreise" - a mental time travel).

It is an established word and generally understood, mostly in a fictional or speculative sense.

🧠 Mnemonics for Zeitreise

For the article 'die': Think of die Maschine (the machine) or die Uhr (the clock/watch) – both often associated with time travel and feminine in German. Or imagine: Die Reise (the journey - feminine) goes through die Zeit (the time - feminine).

For the meaning: The word itself is a clear combination: Zeit (time) + Reise (journey/travel) = A journey through time.

🔄 Similar and Opposing Terms

⚠️ Be careful with words like "Zeitumstellung" – this only refers to daylight saving time changes and has nothing to do with traveling through epochs.

😂 A Little Time Travel Joke

Fragt ein Zeitreisender in einer Bar: "Wann bin ich?"
Barkeeper: "Freitag."
Zeitreisender: "Oh Mann, ich wollte nicht so lange bleiben!"

Translation:

A time traveler asks in a bar: "When am I?"
Bartender: "Friday."
Time traveler: "Oh man, I didn't mean to stay this long!"

📜 Poem about Zeitreise

Die Zeitreise, ein kühner Traum,
Durch Epochen, durch den Raum.
Vergangenheit, Zukunft, nah und fern,
Man reist und lernt des Lebens Kern.

Doch Vorsicht sei auf dieser Fahrt,
Die Zeit ist zart, auf ihre Art.
Ein kleiner Schritt, ein Wort, ein Blick,
Verändert schnell das Weltgeschick.

Translation:

Time travel, a daring dream,
Through epochs, through space it would seem.
Past, future, near and far,
One travels and learns life's guiding star.

But caution be upon this ride,
Time is delicate, deep inside.
A small step taken, a word, a glance,
Can quickly change the world's whole dance.

❓ Riddle

Ich nehm dich mit, doch bleibst du hier,
Besuchst das Gestern, glaub es mir.
Mal fliegst du vor, mal kehrst du um,
Doch bin ich meist nur Fiktion, summ summ.

Was bin ich? (Lösung: die Zeitreise)

Translation:

I take you along, yet you stay here,
Visit yesterday, believe me, dear.
Sometimes you fly ahead, sometimes turn around,
But mostly I'm just fiction, safe and sound.

What am I?
(Answer: die Zeitreise / time travel)

🧩 Other Interesting Aspects

Word Composition

"Zeitreise" is a compound noun, composed of:

• die Zeit (time)
• die Reise (journey, travel)

The feminine gender of the word is determined by the last part, "Reise" (Rule: The gender of a compound noun follows the gender of its final component).

Cultural Significance

The concept of Zeitreise is deeply embedded in pop culture (e.g., "Back to the Future", "Doctor Who", "Terminator", H.G. Wells' "The Time Machine"). It often raises philosophical questions about determinism, free will, and causality.