abonnieren
to subscribe
To regularly receive a service, product, or publication in exchange for payment.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe eine Zeitschrift abonniert, die jeden Monat erscheint.
I subscribed to a magazine that comes out every month.
abonnieren
to subscribe
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Meanings
abonnieren
to subscribe
To follow a channel or person on a social media platform in order to see their content.
EXAMPLE
Wenn dir die Videos gefallen, solltest du den Kanal abonnieren.
If you like the videos, you should subscribe to the channel.
abonnieren
to have a subscription to
Colloquially and figuratively, to constantly experience or have something specific, often something negative.
EXAMPLE
Diese Mannschaft scheint das Pech für diese Saison abonniert zu haben.
This team seems to have a subscription to bad luck this season.
Usage tips
Sentence structure
'Abonnieren' (to subscribe) is always used with a direct object in the accusative. You always subscribe to 'something'.
EXAMPLE
Er abonniert eine Tageszeitung und einen wöchentlichen Newsletter.
He subscribes to a daily newspaper and a weekly newsletter.
Typical collocations
In the classic sense, 'abonnieren' (to subscribe) is used for media and services that you receive regularly. Typical phrases are: 'eine Zeitschrift abonnieren' (to subscribe to a magazine), 'einen Newsletter abonnieren' (to subscribe to a newsletter), 'einen Streaming-Dienst abonnieren' (to subscribe to a streaming service).
EXAMPLE
Viele Leute abonnieren heute Streaming-Dienste statt Kabelfernsehen.
Many people today subscribe to streaming services instead of cable TV.
Modern usage
In the context of social media, 'abonnieren' (to subscribe) means something like 'folgen' (to follow). You can subscribe to a YouTube channel, a podcast, or a person's account so you don't miss any new content.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe seinen Koch-Kanal abonniert, weil ich die Rezepte liebe.
I subscribed to his cooking channel because I love the recipes.
Colloquial expression
The expression 'etwas abonniert haben' (to have a subscription to something) is used colloquially and ironically. It means that someone apparently has a claim to something negative, such as bad luck or failure.
EXAMPLE
Unsere Fußballmannschaft hat in letzter Zeit die zweite Halbzeit abonniert.
Our football team has had a subscription to the second half lately.
Compare with
abonnieren vs folgen
to follow
On social platforms, both „folgen“ and „abonnieren“ can mean that you want to see a channel’s content regularly. „Folgen“ is often the general or usual term, while „abonnieren“ emphasizes the specific act of subscribing; depending on the platform, it may also involve a special offer.
abonnieren
Ich abonniere diesen Kanal, damit ich keine neuen Videos verpasse.
I subscribe to this channel so I don't miss any new videos.
folgen
Ich folge diesem Kanal, damit ich keine neuen Videos verpasse.
I follow this channel so I don't miss any new videos.
In real life
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