8 Expressions to learn about TIME (= die Zeit)

 

 

Daylight savings: 8 German words that will change the way you see time

People all over the world win back an hour of their lives thanks to the practice of daylight savings. From weddings to pickles, here are some interesting German words that are - surprisingly - dedicated 

to time.

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  Zeitumstellung

  This is what is happening either on October 24/25 or October 31/November 1, depending where in the world you live: Zeitumstellung, or time change. Even if it feels luxurious to sleep for one more hour, we're just getting back what was due as we sacrificed an hour in March. Zeitumstellung at least gives a feeling of power - even if we are all bound by time, we at least act like we can change it.
  
  Many other German expressions integrate "Zeit," the word for time.
  
  Zeitzschrift  
  
  A "Zeitschrift" - literally, time writing, is simply a magazine. Whether it includes political discourse or scantily clad women (now with nipples covered), theoretically a magazine should keep up with the times.
  

  Zeitgeist

  While Zeitgeist can also be used in English, its direct translation - time spirit - conjures up images of Charles Dickens' Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present. Referring to the philosophical idea that each era is characterized by particular ways of thinking, the concept of Zeitgeist dates back to 18th-century philosophers and is often associated with Johann Gottfried Herder.

  Mahlzeit

  Like time itself, food is elementary to the human existence. A "Mahlzeit" simply means "meal time," and can refer to breakfast, lunch or dinner. But it's also used to wish someone else the maximum amount of pleasure while eating. Next time you see a friend chomping down on a sandwich, you can say, "Mahlzeit!"
  

  Hochzeit

  It's often referred to as the happiest day of your life. In German, it's also a "high time" - a "Hochzeit." Who isn't high on adrenaline and emotion on that day of all days, on which your credit card debt reaches an all-time high? And for some impatient mother-in-laws, it certainly may be "high time" for that son to finally get hitched.
  

  Sauregurkenzeit

  It's "pickle time!" I'll have a BLT and some chips with that pickle, please... Actually the term "Sauregurkenzeit" originally, in the 18th century, referred to periods when little food was available. Now, it's used during the summer when everyone's on vacation, politics comes to a standstill, the streets are empty, and things get quiet. Pickle anyone?
  

  Zeitgenosse

  While "Genosse" means "comrade" and has a communist after-taste, a "Zeitgenosse" is anyone who lives at the same time you do: a contemporary. Just think: You are a "Zeitgenosse" of Barack Obama, Heidi Klum and Cristiano Ronaldo. You're co-worker may not cheer, though, if you tell him he's your "time comrade."
  

  Zeitgefühl

  German often has a single word for a concept English needs a phrase to express. "Zeitgefühl" is your sense of time - something that suffers when you're concentrating on an important project, staring into the eyes of your sweetheart, or changing the clocks back for daylight savings. Your Zeitgefühl may say it's 8:00 am, but it's really only 7:00. So go back to sleep already!
  

  Author: Kate Müser