In 15 Seconds
- Refers to the act of reading or browsing through magazines.
- Commonly used for hobbies, waiting rooms, or travel activities.
- Uses the plural 'Zeitschriften' to describe the general activity.
Meaning
This phrase describes the simple, relaxing act of flipping through and reading magazines, whether for news, fashion, or hobbies.
Key Examples
3 of 6Describing a hobby
In meiner Freizeit lese ich gerne Zeitschriften.
In my free time, I like to read magazines.
At the doctor's office
Ich habe im Wartezimmer drei Zeitschriften gelesen.
I read three magazines in the waiting room.
Formal offer in a lounge
Hier können unsere Gäste aktuelle Zeitschriften lesen.
Our guests can read current magazines here.
Cultural Background
The 'Lesezirkel' is a unique German service where you rent a stack of magazines. It's common in waiting rooms and private households. Coffee house culture in Vienna often includes a wide selection of international magazines and newspapers on wooden holders. Swiss kiosks often carry a high volume of magazines in German, French, and Italian, reflecting the country's multilingualism. Apps like 'Readly' (often called the 'Netflix for magazines') are becoming very popular in Germany, changing how people 'Zeitschriften lesen'.
Compound Power
You can create any magazine type by adding a noun to '-zeitschrift'. Example: 'Gartenzeitschrift', 'Kochzeitschrift'.
The 'ie' Trap
Don't forget: 'Ich lese' but 'Er liest'. This is a very common A2 exam error.
In 15 Seconds
- Refers to the act of reading or browsing through magazines.
- Commonly used for hobbies, waiting rooms, or travel activities.
- Uses the plural 'Zeitschriften' to describe the general activity.
What It Means
Zeitschriften lesen is all about that low-pressure reading experience. Imagine sitting in a cozy armchair with a glossy magazine. You aren't studying for a hard exam. You are just browsing through articles and looking at pictures. It covers everything from celebrity gossip to high-end tech reviews. It is a classic way to kill time or relax.
How To Use It
Using this phrase is quite straightforward. You just need to conjugate the verb lesen. For example, you say Ich lese Zeitschriften. If you are using a modal verb, the phrase stays together. You might say Ich möchte Zeitschriften lesen. The word Zeitschriften is the plural of Zeitschrift. Most people use the plural because we rarely read just one!
When To Use It
This is a perfect phrase for small talk. Use it when someone asks about your hobbies. It is also the go-to phrase for waiting rooms. If you are at the doctor, you are likely Zeitschriften lesen. Use it when you are on a long train ride. It sounds much more intentional than just 'looking at your phone.'
When NOT To Use It
Be careful not to confuse this with Zeitungen lesen. Zeitungen are newspapers like the NYT or Die Zeit. Magazines are for lifestyle and hobbies. Also, don't use this for digital scrolling. If you are on a blog, use im Internet surfen. This phrase strongly implies paper and ink. Using it for a Kindle might feel a bit old-fashioned.
Cultural Background
Germans absolutely love their print media. You will see massive magazine walls at every Kiosk or train station. There is even a cool service called Lesezirkel. They deliver a pack of magazines to your house. You read them for a week and then they swap them. It is a very German way to stay updated without buying every issue. It is eco-friendly and very traditional.
Common Variations
If you are just flipping pages, use in Zeitschriften blättern. This means 'to leaf through.' If you are looking for something specific, try in Zeitschriften stöbern. That means 'to browse' or 'rummage.' You can also specify the type. Modezeitschriften are for fashion. Fachzeitschriften are for professional or technical topics.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and safe for all contexts. The main 'gotcha' is the irregular conjugation of `lesen` (`du liest`) and distinguishing it from `Zeitungen` (newspapers).
Compound Power
You can create any magazine type by adding a noun to '-zeitschrift'. Example: 'Gartenzeitschrift', 'Kochzeitschrift'.
The 'ie' Trap
Don't forget: 'Ich lese' but 'Er liest'. This is a very common A2 exam error.
Use 'blättern' for realism
If you want to sound like a native in a waiting room, say 'Ich blättere nur ein bisschen in den Zeitschriften'.
Examples
6In meiner Freizeit lese ich gerne Zeitschriften.
In my free time, I like to read magazines.
A very common way to describe a simple hobby.
Ich habe im Wartezimmer drei Zeitschriften gelesen.
I read three magazines in the waiting room.
Uses the past tense 'gelesen' to describe a finished action.
Hier können unsere Gäste aktuelle Zeitschriften lesen.
Our guests can read current magazines here.
Used in a professional service context.
Ich liege nur auf dem Sofa und lese Zeitschriften.
I'm just lying on the sofa reading magazines.
Describes a relaxed, lazy state.
Ich habe genug Zeitschriften gelesen, um jetzt selbst Arzt zu sein!
I've read enough magazines to be a doctor myself now!
A joke about how long waiting times can be.
Meine Mutter und ich haben sonntags immer zusammen Zeitschriften gelesen.
My mother and I always read magazines together on Sundays.
Refers to a shared, nostalgic routine.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'lesen'.
Mein Vater _______ jeden Abend im Bett Zeitschriften.
The subject is 'Mein Vater' (he), so the verb 'lesen' changes its stem to 'liest'.
Which word correctly completes the sentence?
Ich gehe zum Kiosk und kaufe eine _______.
While 'Zeitung' is possible, 'Zeitschrift' is the feminine noun matching the article 'eine' and the context of a magazine.
Match the German phrase with its English translation.
Match the following:
These are common collocations involving 'Zeitschrift'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Was machst du im Urlaub? B: Ich liege am Strand und _______ _______.
Reading magazines is a typical beach activity.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesMein Vater _______ jeden Abend im Bett Zeitschriften.
The subject is 'Mein Vater' (he), so the verb 'lesen' changes its stem to 'liest'.
Ich gehe zum Kiosk und kaufe eine _______.
While 'Zeitung' is possible, 'Zeitschrift' is the feminine noun matching the article 'eine' and the context of a magazine.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are common collocations involving 'Zeitschrift'.
A: Was machst du im Urlaub? B: Ich liege am Strand und _______ _______.
Reading magazines is a typical beach activity.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsThey are mostly interchangeable. 'Zeitschrift' is the traditional German word, while 'Magazin' often refers to glossier, lifestyle-oriented publications.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your friends.
Ich lese gerade eine Zeitschrift.
Feminine nouns ending in '-schrift' always take '-en' in the plural.
Yes, 'lesen' applies to both print and digital media.
A trade journal or professional magazine dedicated to a specific field like medicine or law.
Yes, Germany has a very strong print culture, though digital is growing.
A rental service for magazines, very common in Germany.
Perfekt: hat gelesen. Präteritum: las.
Yes, always: {die|f} Zeitschrift.
Related Phrases
In einer Zeitschrift blättern
similarTo flip through a magazine
Zeitung lesen
similarTo read a newspaper
Schmökern
similarTo browse/read for pleasure
Abonnieren
builds onTo subscribe
