zeichnen
To draw
Use `zeichnen` for line-based sketching and `malen` for colorful painting with a brush.
في 15 ثانية
- Use for creating images with lines and pencils.
- Different from 'malen', which involves brushes and paint.
- Common in both artistic and technical/engineering contexts.
المعنى
It describes the act of creating a picture or sketch using lines, typically with a pencil, pen, or charcoal. Think of it as 'line art' rather than using a brush and liquid paint.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6Talking about a hobby
Ich zeichne jeden Abend in mein Skizzenbuch.
I draw in my sketchbook every evening.
In an architecture office
Der Architekt zeichnet den neuen Bauplan.
The architect is drawing the new construction plan.
Texting a friend about art
Schau mal, ich habe ein Porträt von dir gezeichnet!
Look, I drew a portrait of you!
خلفية ثقافية
Drawing has a prestigious history in Germany, led by masters like Albrecht Dürer. It is closely linked to the German values of 'Präzision' (precision) and 'Handwerk' (craftsmanship). In modern times, Germany has a thriving 'Comic-Szene' where the term is used constantly.
The Pencil Rule
If you are using a tool with a hard tip (pencil, pen, charcoal), use `zeichnen`. If it's a soft brush, use `malen`.
Don't 'zeichnen' the Walls
If you tell a German you are going to `zeichnen` your bedroom walls, they will think you are drawing murals with a pencil. Use `streichen` for painting walls!
في 15 ثانية
- Use for creating images with lines and pencils.
- Different from 'malen', which involves brushes and paint.
- Common in both artistic and technical/engineering contexts.
What It Means
zeichnen is all about the beauty of the line. You use a pencil or a pen. It is different from malen. When you zeichnen, you create shapes and shadows. It is often the first step of an artwork. It feels precise and focused. You are capturing the essence of an object on paper. It is a fundamental skill in the art world. Even a quick doodle on a napkin counts as zeichnen.
How To Use It
Using zeichnen is very simple. It is a regular verb. You say ich zeichne or du zeichnest. Notice the extra e in the du form. This makes it easier to pronounce. You can use it with a direct object. For example, ich zeichne einen Baum. You can also use it without an object. Just say ich zeichne gern. It works exactly like the English verb 'to draw'.
When To Use It
Use it when you are in an art class. Use it when you are sketching for fun. It is perfect for technical contexts too. Architects zeichnen floor plans. Engineers zeichnen technical parts. You can use it when talking about your hobbies. If you are texting a friend a picture of your sketch, use zeichnen. It sounds more professional than malen for line-based work. It is the right word for portraits and sketches.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use zeichnen for painting a wall. That is streichen. Do not use it for oil or watercolor paintings. That is malen. If you are using a brush and liquid colors, stick to malen. Also, be careful with signatures. Usually, you unterschreiben a contract. Using zeichnen for a signature is very old-fashioned. It is mostly used for high-level government treaties now. Don't use it for your grocery list either. That is just schreiben.
Cultural Background
Germany has a deep love for drawing. Think of the famous artist Albrecht Dürer. He was a master of the line. His woodcuts and sketches are world-famous. This precision is part of the German identity. It ties into the famous German engineering. Everything starts with a precise drawing. Even the Bauhaus movement focused on clean, functional lines. Drawing is seen as a serious craft in Germany. It is not just a childhood hobby.
Common Variations
There are many useful versions of this word. abzeichnen means to copy a drawing. aufzeichnen means to record something, like a video. auszeichnen is used for giving an award. You might see gekennzeichnet on signs. That means something is 'marked'. My favorite is skizzieren. That means to make a quick sketch. It sounds very artistic and sophisticated.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
The verb is neutral and safe to use in any context. Just remember the distinction from 'malen' to avoid sounding like a child who confuses pencils with paintbrushes.
The Pencil Rule
If you are using a tool with a hard tip (pencil, pen, charcoal), use `zeichnen`. If it's a soft brush, use `malen`.
Don't 'zeichnen' the Walls
If you tell a German you are going to `zeichnen` your bedroom walls, they will think you are drawing murals with a pencil. Use `streichen` for painting walls!
The 'Signature' Secret
In very high-level German, `zeichnen` can mean to sign a document. You might see this in news about international treaties. It sounds incredibly fancy.
أمثلة
6Ich zeichne jeden Abend in mein Skizzenbuch.
I draw in my sketchbook every evening.
A common way to describe a relaxing routine.
Der Architekt zeichnet den neuen Bauplan.
The architect is drawing the new construction plan.
Shows the technical application of the word.
Schau mal, ich habe ein Porträt von dir gezeichnet!
Look, I drew a portrait of you!
Casual use for sharing creative work.
Ich zeichne wie ein betrunkener Pinguin.
I draw like a drunken penguin.
A funny way to say you aren't very artistic.
Sie zeichnet, um ihren Schmerz zu verarbeiten.
She draws to process her pain.
Shows drawing as a form of therapy or expression.
Kannst du mir bitte eine Karte zeichnen?
Can you please draw me a map?
Using the verb for a practical, everyday task.
اختبر نفسك
Choose the correct form of 'zeichnen' for the sentence.
Was ___ du da in dein Heft?
Since the subject is 'du', the verb must end in '-st'. The extra 'e' is added for easier pronunciation: 'zeichnest'.
Distinguish between 'malen' and 'zeichnen'.
Ich nehme einen Bleistift und ___ eine Blume.
Because a 'Bleistift' (pencil) is used, 'zeichnen' is the correct verb for making lines.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality of 'zeichnen'
Doodling on a napkin with a friend.
Guck mal, was ich gekritzelt habe!
Talking about art or hobbies.
Ich zeichne gerne Tiere.
Technical drafting or high-level signing.
Der Entwurf wurde vom Chef gezeichnet.
Where to use 'zeichnen'
Art Class
Drawing a still life.
Engineering
Creating a blueprint.
At Home
Doodling while on the phone.
With Kids
Drawing a sun and a house.
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةzeichnen is for lines and sketches (pencil/pen), while malen is for colors and brushes (paint). If you use a pencil, you zeichnen.
Yes, if you are using a stylus to create line-based art, you can still say ich zeichne am Tablet.
Yes, it follows the regular conjugation pattern, but remember the extra 'e' in du zeichnest and er zeichnet to help with pronunciation.
You can use skizzieren for a quick sketch, but zeichnen is also perfectly fine for sketching.
Zeichnung is the noun form, meaning 'a drawing' or 'a sketch'. For example: Das ist eine schöne Zeichnung.
Only in very formal or legal contexts. For everyday signatures, use unterschreiben.
You can say Ich kann nicht gut zeichnen or Ich bin untalentiert im Zeichnen.
It usually means to copy a drawing by looking at it, or it can mean that something is 'becoming apparent' in a figurative sense.
Yes, architects and engineers zeichnen their plans. It implies precision and technical accuracy.
That is the German word for a comic book artist or cartoonist. It literally means 'comic drawer'.
عبارات ذات صلة
malen
To paint
skizzieren
To sketch
entwerfen
To design/draft
unterschreiben
To sign
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