to stream
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to stream
To receive audio or video data from the internet and play it immediately without downloading it completely.
Am Abend streame ich am liebsten eine Folge meiner Lieblingsserie.
In the evening, I like to stream an episode of my favorite series best.
'Streamen' (to stream) is a loanword from English, but in German it is conjugated like a regular weak verb. The forms are: er streamt, er streamte, er hat gestreamt.
Gestern Abend habe ich einen alten Film gestreamt.
Yesterday evening I streamed an old film.
The verb has two opposite meanings: receiving data (e.g. watching a film) or sending data (e.g. broadcasting live on the internet yourself). Who the subject of the sentence is — the consumer or the producer — reveals the meaning.
Wir streamen heute Abend das Fußballspiel. (empfangen)
We're streaming the soccer match tonight. (receiving)
When it is about receiving content, 'streamen' (to stream) is often used with what you watch or listen to: 'einen Film streamen' (to stream a film), 'eine Serie streamen' (to stream a series), 'Musik streamen' (to stream music), or 'einen Podcast streamen' (to stream a podcast).
Ich streame meine Musik meistens über eine App auf dem Handy.
I usually stream my music through an app on my phone.
When someone broadcasts content themselves, 'streamen' (to stream) is often used with the adverb 'live' or with platforms such as 'auf Twitch' (on Twitch) or 'auf YouTube' (on YouTube).
Sie streamt fast jeden Tag live, wie sie Videospiele spielt.
She streams live almost every day while she plays video games.
to transmit / transfer
'übertragen' and 'streamen' can both have to do with audio, video, or data that is sent over the internet or another medium. 'übertragen' is more general: a broadcaster, device, or channel sends data or a program to others. 'streamen' is used especially for audio or video on the internet. It can mean that you are broadcasting something live yourself, but also that you are watching a film or listening to music directly from the internet. That is why the words can be confused. When it is about a public broadcast, 'übertragen' is often suitable. When it is about internet video or music directly online, 'streamen' sounds more natural.
Nach der Arbeit streamt Mehmet eine Serie auf seinem Tablet.
After work, Mehmet streams a series on his tablet.
Der Sender überträgt das Fußballspiel heute Abend live im Internet.
The broadcaster is showing the soccer match live on the internet this evening.