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German word of the day: Das Komaglotzen

Kate Brady
Kate Brady - [email protected]
German word of the day: Das Komaglotzen
Addicted to Netflix? This word might apply to you. Photo: DPA

We’ve all been there: when one episode turns into one season, which turns into two seasons, and so on, until we look at the clock and realize that we’ve fallen into yet another binge-watching session on Netflix or Amazon Prime.

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Though the phrase “binge-watching” has certainly made its way into German conversations, das Komaglotzen can also be used to describe the act of watching a lot of television at once. 

Glotzen by itself is a verb often used colloquially to describe the act of staring at something with eyes wide open and a “stupid” expression on the face. Koma refers simply to a coma.

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Komaglotzen describes the experience of watching television (or shows on a laptop) for many hours at a time, letting episode after episode auto-play until the entire afternoon or evening seems to disappear. 

READ ALSO: Germans embracing TV streaming services in record numbers

Binge-watching too much? Watch out, you might even get labelled with the new German word Komaglotzer, one who binge-watches. 

Various studies have been done in the US and around the world since the rise of Netflix and other streaming services about the effects of binge-watching on attention spans, mental health, and social connections. The results are mixed, but who doesn’t give in to the occasional television binge? 

Netflix’s Dark, its first original German-language series, is Germany’s most commonly streamed show at the moment. 

Looking for your next binge-worthy show? Channel your inner Komaglotzer with our recommendations.

Examples

Ich habe die ganze Serie per Komaglotzen gesehen. 

I have binge-watched the whole series.

Komaglotzen macht Spaß, besonders wenn man müde ist. 

Binge-watching is fun, especially when one is sleepy.

Ein Komaglotzer ist nicht immer faul! 

A binge-watcher is not always lazy!

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Anonymous 2020/11/25 09:02
Why are you advertising Netflix? Everyone - please unsubscribe from Netflix which published the film 'Cuties' which glorifies and USED underage young girls for entertainment sexual advancement. We need to say, "NO" at some point and this is the point. I wonder if Neflix isn't paying companies to advertise them? Take a stand today. We don't need to waste our time with wasteful entertainment.

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