A technique in film and video in which sequences of movement are shown slowed down. This is achieved by recording at a higher frame rate and playing back at normal speed.
example
Im Sportfernsehen wird das Foul in der Zeitlupe wiederholt.
On sports television, the foul is replayed in slow motion.
Usage tips
Word composition
The word is a figurative compound of 'die Zeit' (time) and 'die Lupe' (magnifying glass). It describes the idea of looking at time as if through a magnifying glass, that is, enlarged and slowed down.
EXAMPLE
Dank der Zeitlupe konnte der Schiedsrichter die Situation genau bewerten.
Thanks to the slow motion, the referee was able to assess the situation accurately.
Use with 'in'
In both the technical and figurative meanings, 'Zeitlupe' (slow motion) is almost always used with the preposition 'in': 'etwas in Zeitlupe sehen' (to see something in slow motion) or 'etwas geschieht wie in Zeitlupe' (something happens as if in slow motion).
EXAMPLE
Die entscheidende Szene des Films wurde in Zeitlupe gezeigt.
The decisive scene of the film was shown in slow motion.
Typical collocations
In the technical sense (film, video), 'Zeitlupe' (slow motion) is often combined with verbs such as 'zeigen' (to show), 'wiederholen' (to replay), 'abspielen' (to play back), or 'analysieren' (to analyze), especially in a sports context.
EXAMPLE
Der Fernsehsender wiederholte das Tor mehrmals in Zeitlupe.
The television station replayed the goal several times in slow motion.