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. 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.
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.
Komaglotzen is a compound word that offers an imaginative image of binge-watching. Photo: Depositphoto
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!
Article source: https://www.thelocal.de/20191113/german-word-of-the-day-komaglotzen