zeichnen
/ˈt͡saɪ̯çnən/
To draw (to produce a picture) in German is zeichnen. Wiktionary also lists malen and skizzieren.
Meaning: to produce a picture (verb)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| zeichnen | /ˈt͡saɪ̯çnən/ |
| malen | /ˈmaːlən/ /ˈmaːlɛn/ |
| skizzieren | /skɪˈtsiːʁən/ |
| aufzeichnen | [ˈʔaʊ̯fˌt͡saɪ̯çnən] (narrow) |
| aufmalen | |
| aufskizzieren | |
| aufreissen | /ˈʔaʊ̯fʁaɪ̯sən/ |
| abzeichnen | /ˈʔapˌtsaɪ̯çnən/ |
| abmalen |
Use zeichnen when referring to drawing with lines, such as with a pencil or pen.
Which one should you use?
While zeichnen refers to drawing with lines, use malen when referring to painting or using colors, such as with watercolors or brushes. If you are making a quick, rough sketch, use skizzieren. Use abmalen when the intent is to copy an existing picture rather than creating an original one. Other variations include aufzeichnen, aufmalen, aufskizzieren, aufreissen, abzeichnen and abmalen.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The simple past form of zeichnen is zeichnete, and the past participle is gezeichnet.
How do you pronounce it?
{'ipa': '/ˈtsaɪ̯çnən/'}
Did you know?
- The verb aufzeichnen is used not only for drawing but also for recording audio or video, such as 'recording' a podcast.
- The word zeichnen also means to 'sign' a document or a contract in formal contexts, treating the signature as a drawing of a mark.
- If someone is 'destined' or 'marked' by fate, German uses the verb gezeichnet, the same word used for a drawing.
Examples in context
- Was willst du zeichnen?What are you going to draw?This sentence is useful for asking about someone's intention to draw.Tatoeba #12141035 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #12140955 by CK
- Ich kann nicht zeichnen.I can't draw.This sentence is useful for stating an inability to draw.Tatoeba #5827767 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #5740248 by Hybrid
- Tom will zeichnen lernen.Tom wants to learn how to draw.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to learn how to draw.Tatoeba #7326078 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #7324625 by Hybrid
- einen Comic zeichnenTo draw a comic
- Kannst du mir bitte etwas zeichnen?Can you please draw something for me?
- Lass uns zusammen malen!Let's draw together!
- Ich habe eine Skizze angefertigt.I made a sketch.
- Hast du gerade etwas hingekritzelt?Did you just scribble something?
- Kannst du schnell etwas schmieren, um es mir zu zeigen?Can you quickly sketch something to show me?
- 51 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laura and Felix are sitting in a park with sketchbooks.
- LauraWas zeichnest du da, Felix?What are you drawing there, Felix?
- FelixIch zeichne die Blumen vor uns.I am drawing the flowers in front of us.
- LauraDas sieht sehr gut aus!That looks very good!
- FelixDanke, Laura. Möchtest du auch etwas zeichnen?Thanks, Laura. Do you want to draw something too?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “draw” translations and entries zeichnen, malen, skizzieren, aufzeichnen, aufreissen, abzeichnen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
