time
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time
The physical or philosophical dimension in which events happen one after another and which is perceived as a sequence of past, present, and future.
Die Zeit vergeht wie im Flug, wenn man Spaß hat.
Time flies when you're having fun.
The word 'Zeit' (time) is the basis for many compound nouns in German. If you see 'Zeit' in a long word, it often has to do with duration, a point in time, or a period, e.g., in 'Zeitdruck' (time pressure), 'Zeitschrift' (magazine), or 'Zeitplan' (schedule).
Wegen des hohen Zeitdrucks haben wir viele Fehler gemacht.
Because of the high time pressure, we made many mistakes.
The meaning changes depending on the preposition: 'in der Zeit' (during that time), 'mit der Zeit' (over time), 'zur Zeit' (currently), 'seit einiger Zeit' (for some time, beginning in the past). Pay attention to the correct preposition to express the right temporal relationship.
Mit der Zeit gewöhnt man sich an fast alles.
Over time, you get used to almost everything.
If you want to express what you have time for, use the preposition 'für' followed by the accusative. This also applies to the negation 'keine Zeit haben für' (to have no time for).
Ich habe leider keine Zeit für ein langes Gespräch.
Unfortunately, I don't have time for a long conversation.
The expression 'Es ist Zeit, ... zu ...' (It is time to ...) is used very often to express that a certain moment for an action has come. The expression is followed by an infinitive construction with 'zu'.
Es ist Zeit, die Koffer zu packen.
It's time to pack the suitcases.
When the expression 'zur Zeit' (currently) appears at the beginning of a sentence, the conjugated verb follows directly after it. The subject of the sentence then moves to the third position.
Zur Zeit arbeite ich von zu Hause aus.
Currently, I am working from home.
The expression 'mit der Zeit' (over time) always describes a slow, gradual process of change or development. It does not mean “on time.”
Deine Deutschkenntnisse werden mit der Zeit immer besser werden.
Your German skills will get better and better over time.
When the word 'Zeit' (time) appears in the context of grammar, verbs, or sentences (e.g., with words like 'Präsens' (present tense), 'Perfekt' (present perfect), 'Vergangenheit' (past)), it refers to the grammatical tense.
Bitte schreibe den nächsten Satz in einer anderen Zeit.
Please write the next sentence in a different tense.
time / mark
'das Mal' and 'die Zeit' can both have to do with a moment or period of time, but they are used differently. 'das Mal' means a single event in a series, for example 'das erste Mal' (the first time) or 'nächstes Mal' (next time). 'die Zeit' is more about a period of time, a point in time, or time in general. Learners often confuse the words because some languages use a similar word for both. In German, you say 'beim nächsten Mal' (next time), but 'zu dieser Zeit' (at that time) or 'um welche Zeit' (at what time).
Nach dem Gespräch hatte sie endlich Zeit für einen ruhigen Abend.
After the conversation, she finally had time for a quiet evening.
Beim letzten Mal haben wir den Zug knapp verpasst.
Last time, we only just missed the train.