die
Zeitschrift
📰 What exactly is a 'Zeitschrift'?
Die Zeitschrift (plural: die Zeitschriften) is a periodical publication, usually appearing weekly or monthly. It contains Artikel (articles), Berichte (reports), Bilder (pictures), or other contributions on specific subject areas (e.g., Politik - politics, Wissenschaft - science, Mode - fashion, Sport - sports) or for a specific target audience.
In contrast to a Zeitung (newspaper), which reports on current daily events, a Zeitschrift often covers topics in more detail and with a longer time horizon.
🚨 The word 'Zeitschrift' is always feminine. The only correct article is 'die'.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ft/ -schaft → almost always feminine.
All -schaft nouns are feminine, but not all -ft nouns are.
🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Die Zeitschrift
The noun 'Zeitschrift' is feminine. Here are the declension tables:
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die | Zeitschrift |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der | Zeitschrift |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der | Zeitschrift |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die | Zeitschrift |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Zeitschriften |
| Genitive | der | Zeitschriften |
| Dative | den | Zeitschriften |
| Accusative | die | Zeitschriften |
📝 Example Sentences
- Ich lese gerne die neue Zeitschrift über Gartengestaltung. (I like reading the new magazine about garden design.)
- Der Artikel der Zeitschrift war sehr informativ. (The magazine's article was very informative.)
- Mit der Zeitschrift in der Hand setzte er sich in den Sessel. (With the magazine in his hand, he sat down in the armchair.)
- Hast du die Zeitschrift schon gesehen? (Have you seen the magazine yet?)
- Im Wartezimmer liegen viele alte Zeitschriften. (There are many old magazines in the waiting room.)
💡 How and When to Use 'Zeitschrift'?
The term 'Zeitschrift' is used for a wide range of periodically published print or digital publications.
- Context: People talk about Zeitschriften at the Kiosk (newsstand), via Abonnement (subscription), in Bibliotheken (libraries), or Wartezimmern (waiting rooms).
- Variety of Topics: There are Fachzeitschriften (specialist journals, e.g., medizinische Zeitschrift - medical journal), Publikumszeitschriften (general interest magazines, e.g., Modezeitschrift - fashion magazine, Sportzeitschrift - sports magazine), customer magazines, member magazines, etc.
- Differentiation: A Zeitung (e.g., Tageszeitung - daily newspaper) appears more frequently (usually daily) and focuses more on current news. A Magazin is often used synonymously with Zeitschrift, but sometimes refers to magazines with a high proportion of images and an entertaining character. A Journal is often a scientific or subject-specific periodical.
- Form: A Zeitschrift is usually stapled or bound and has a cover.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic (die): Think of 'die' as in 'die-ing to read the latest issue'. Or remember that Schrift (writing) is feminine (die Schrift), and a Zeitschrift is a type of writing appearing over time (Zeit), so it stays feminine: die Zeitschrift.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine eagerly waiting for the publication that chronicles the Zeit (time) with Schrift (writing) – it's your favorite periodical, die Zeitschrift (magazine/journal).
🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- das Magazin: Often synonymous, sometimes more focused on entertainment/lifestyle.
- das Journal: Often used for scientific or professional publications.
- das Heft: More colloquial, emphasizes the physical booklet form.
- die Illustrierte: Magazine with many pictures ('illustrated').
- die Revue: Similar to Magazin, often with a review/retrospective character.
⚠️ Potential Confusion:
😂 A Little Chuckle
German: Fragt der Arzt den Patienten: "Lesen Sie eigentlich regelmäßig Zeitschriften im Wartezimmer?" Patient: "Nein, Herr Doktor, nur wenn ich warten muss!"
English Translation: The doctor asks the patient: "Do you actually read magazines regularly in the waiting room?" Patient: "No, Doctor, only when I have to wait!" (Play on 'regelmäßig' - regularly and 'warten müssen' - having to wait)
✍️ Poem about the 'Zeitschrift'
German:
Die Zeitschrift, bunt und schlau,
bringt die Welt in meine Schau.
Mal von Mode, mal von Wissen,
will ich keine Seite missen.
Woche für Woche, Monat für Monat,
wartet sie schon auf dem Abonnat.
English Translation:
The magazine, colorful and smart,
Brings the world into my sight.
Sometimes fashion, sometimes knowledge,
I don't want to miss a page.
Week by week, month by month,
It awaits in the subscription launch.
❓ What am I?
German:
Ich komme regelmäßig, doch nicht jeden Tag.
Ich bringe Wissen, Spaß und was man sonst so mag.
Ich habe Blätter, doch bin kein Baum,
und biete oft der Werbung Raum.
Was bin ich?
English Translation:
I come regularly, but not every day.
I bring knowledge, fun, and what else you may like.
I have leaves (pages), but am not a tree,
And often offer space for advertising spree.
What am I?
... Die Zeitschrift (The magazine/journal)
🧩 Other Interesting Details
Word Composition:
The word 'Zeitschrift' is a compound noun, composed of:
- die Zeit: Referring to time, specifically the regularity of publication (periodicity).
- die Schrift: Referring to the content, the writing/script.
So, it literally means a "writing that appears over a certain time span or regularly".
Typical Kinds of 'Zeitschriften':
- Fachzeitschrift (Specialist journal)
- Publikumszeitschrift (General interest magazine)
- Kundenzeitschrift (Customer magazine)
- Modezeitschrift (Fashion magazine)
- Sportzeitschrift (Sports magazine)
- Wissenschaftliche Zeitschrift (Scientific journal)
- Satirezeitschrift (Satirical magazine)
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Zeitschrift?
The German word Zeitschrift is always feminine. Therefore, the only correct article is die. It refers to a periodical publication like a magazine or journal.