zeichnen
to draw
To create a picture or graphic representation with a pencil, chalk, or similar tool.
EXAMPLE
Sie kann sehr gut Porträts von Menschen zeichnen.
She can draw portraits of people very well.
zeichnen
to draw / sign
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Meanings
sich abzeichnen
to become apparent
To become visible as an outline or contour, or to develop gradually and become recognizable.
EXAMPLE
Es zeichnet sich ab, dass das Projekt teurer wird als geplant.
It is becoming apparent that the project will be more expensive than planned.
zeichnen
to sign
To officially sign a document, contract, or deed.
EXAMPLE
Beide Parteien haben den Vertrag gestern gezeichnet.
Both parties signed the contract yesterday.
zeichnen
to subscribe
In finance, to make a binding declaration to buy shares or bonds at a certain price.
EXAMPLE
Investoren können die neuen Aktien des Unternehmens ab Montag zeichnen.
Investors can subscribe to the company's new shares starting Monday.
gezeichnet sein von
to be marked by
To show clear traces of something negative, such as illness, suffering, or exertion.
EXAMPLE
Sein Gesicht war von den Strapazen der langen Reise gezeichnet.
His face was marked by the hardships of the long journey.
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'zeichnen' (to draw/sign) is closely related to the noun 'das Zeichen' (sign/symbol). So 'zeichnen' literally means to create signs or lines. The result of this action is 'die Zeichnung' (the drawing).
EXAMPLE
Er machte ein Zeichen auf die Karte, um den Ort zu markieren.
He made a mark on the map to mark the place.
Reflexive verb
In the meaning 'erkennbar werden' (to become recognizable/apparent), the verb is reflexive: 'sich abzeichnen' (to become apparent). It is very often used in the impersonal phrase 'Es zeichnet sich ab, dass ...' (It is becoming apparent that ...) to describe a development or trend.
EXAMPLE
Es zeichnet sich ab, dass wir das Projekt rechtzeitig beenden werden.
It is becoming apparent that we will finish the project on time.
Fixed construction
This meaning is used in the fixed passive construction 'gezeichnet sein von etwas' (to be marked by something). The 'von' (by) always introduces the cause of the negative traces, for example an illness, worries, or great effort.
EXAMPLE
Ihr Gesicht war von der langen Krankheit gezeichnet.
Her face was marked by the long illness.
Typical use
In the basic meaning 'ein Bild erstellen' (to create a picture), 'zeichnen' (to draw) can be used with or without an object. The preposition 'mit' (with) is often used to name the tool.
EXAMPLE
Meine Tochter zeichnet gerne mit bunten Stiften.
My daughter likes drawing with colored pencils.
Register and style
When 'zeichnen' is used in the sense of 'unterschreiben' (to sign), this is very formal and official language. It is found mainly in contracts, deeds, or historical documents.
EXAMPLE
Der Minister zeichnete das Abkommen im Namen der Regierung.
The minister signed the agreement on behalf of the government.
Finance context clue
This meaning is limited to the field of finance. You can recognize it from signal words such as 'Aktien' (shares/stocks), 'Anleihen' (bonds), 'Investoren' (investors), or 'Börse' (stock exchange).
EXAMPLE
Die Anleger konnten die neuen Aktien für 50 Euro pro Stück zeichnen.
Investors were able to subscribe to the new shares for 50 euros each.
Compare with
zeichnen vs ziehen
to pull / move
Ziehen and zeichnen can both create a line with a pen. Ziehen emphasizes the straight movement, while zeichnen treats the line as part of a graphic representation. Use ziehen for a single mark and zeichnen for a picture or representation.
zeichnen
Bitte zeichnen Sie auf dem Blatt eine Karte mit einer Linie zum Bahnhof.
Please draw a map on the sheet with a line leading to the train station.
ziehen
Bitte ziehen Sie mit dem Lineal eine gerade Linie unter das Wort.
Please draw a straight line under the word with the ruler.
In real life
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