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A2 verb #1,500 más común 14 min de lectura

ansehen

Top 1,500

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos ansehen en 30 segundos

Explicación ansehen in your Level:

At the A1 level, learners are introduced to the fundamental building blocks of the German language, and 'ansehen' is typically encountered as a basic vocabulary item related to daily activities and visual perception. Beginners first learn the root verb 'sehen' (to see) and soon after discover 'ansehen' as a specific way to say 'to look at'. The primary challenge at this stage is recognizing it as a separable prefix verb. Learners practice simple, declarative sentences in the present tense, focusing on moving the prefix 'an' to the very end of the sentence. For example, 'Ich sehe das Buch an' (I look at the book). At this level, the focus is strictly on the literal, physical act of directing one's eyes toward an object or a person. Teachers emphasize the conjugation of the irregular strong verb 'sehen' (ich sehe, du siehst, er/sie/es sieht) while ensuring the prefix is correctly placed. The reflexive usage is usually avoided or introduced only as fixed, memorized phrases without deep grammatical explanation, as the concept of dative reflexive pronouns is too advanced for absolute beginners. The goal is simple recognition and basic application in highly structured, everyday contexts like pointing at objects in a classroom or describing simple actions in a picture. Vocabulary lists at this stage pair 'ansehen' with common nouns like 'das Bild' (the picture), 'das Haus' (the house), or 'den Mann' (the man), establishing a foundational understanding of transitive verb structures.

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Progressing to the A2 level, learners begin to use 'ansehen' with much greater frequency and in more complex grammatical structures, reflecting their growing ability to describe routines, hobbies, and past events. The most significant leap at this stage is the formal introduction of the reflexive construction 'sich etwas ansehen', which is essential for discussing media consumption. Learners are taught that to say 'I am watching a movie', they must use 'Ich sehe mir einen Film an'. This introduces the crucial distinction between accusative and dative reflexive pronouns, a major grammatical milestone in A2. Students practice using 'mir' and 'dir' correctly when a direct object (like 'einen Film' or 'die Nachrichten') is present. Furthermore, A2 learners begin to use 'ansehen' in the conversational past tense (Perfekt). They learn the past participle 'angesehen' and practice forming sentences like 'Wir haben uns das Fußballspiel angesehen' (We watched the football game). The use of modal verbs also becomes common, allowing learners to express intentions or desires, such as 'Ich möchte mir diese Jacke ansehen' (I would like to look at this jacket). The vocabulary expands to include contexts like shopping, visiting museums, and watching television, making 'ansehen' a highly practical and frequently utilized verb in their expanding repertoire. The focus shifts from mere physical looking to intentional watching and examining.

At the B1 level, the usage of 'ansehen' becomes significantly more sophisticated, moving beyond simple descriptions of daily routines into the realm of expressing opinions, intentions, and complex temporal relationships. Learners are expected to confidently navigate subordinate clauses, which requires them to reunite the separated prefix with the main verb at the end of the sentence. They practice constructing sentences with conjunctions like 'weil', 'dass', and 'wenn', such as 'Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich mir einen Dokumentarfilm ansehen möchte' (I am staying home because I want to watch a documentary). This demonstrates a solid grasp of German syntax. Additionally, B1 learners are introduced to the more abstract meanings of 'ansehen'. They learn to use it in the sense of 'to consider' or 'to regard as', employing the preposition 'als'. For example, 'Ich sehe ihn als einen guten Freund an' (I consider him a good friend). This marks a transition from purely concrete, physical vocabulary to vocabulary that can express abstract thought and personal judgment. The distinction between 'ansehen' and its synonyms like 'betrachten' or 'beobachten' is also refined, allowing learners to choose the most precise verb for their intended meaning. They can discuss not just what they watch, but how they view situations, people, and concepts, demonstrating a higher level of communicative competence and nuance.

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In the B2 level, learners are expected to wield 'ansehen' with near-native fluency, utilizing it across a wide range of registers, from casual conversation to formal written discourse. The focus shifts towards passive constructions and more complex idiomatic usages. Learners practice the passive voice, understanding phrases like 'Das Projekt wird als Erfolg angesehen' (The project is regarded as a success), which is common in professional and academic contexts. They also delve deeper into the nuances of perception and deduction. B2 students learn expressions where 'ansehen' means to deduce something from someone's appearance, using the dative case for the person observed. For instance, 'Man sieht ihm an, dass er krank ist' (One can tell by looking at him that he is sick). This requires a sophisticated understanding of case government and sentence structure. Furthermore, learners at this level are expected to seamlessly integrate 'ansehen' into complex sentence frameworks, including relative clauses and extended participial phrases. They refine their stylistic choices, knowing when to use 'ansehen' versus more elevated synonyms like 'betrachten' or more colloquial ones like 'anschauen' depending on the context. The verb becomes a tool not just for stating facts, but for argumentation, critical analysis, and nuanced interpersonal communication, reflecting the advanced linguistic capabilities expected at the B2 level.

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At the C1 level, mastery of 'ansehen' is assumed, and the focus is on stylistic elegance, deep semantic nuances, and the comprehension of complex, authentic texts. Learners encounter 'ansehen' in literature, high-level journalism, and academic writing, where it is often used in highly abstract or metaphorical ways. They are expected to understand and actively use sophisticated idioms and fixed expressions involving the verb. For example, phrases like 'jemandem etwas an der Nasenspitze ansehen' (to read something on someone's face) or 'etwas mit ansehen müssen' (to be forced to witness something unpleasant) become part of their active vocabulary. C1 learners also explore the nominalized forms, such as 'das Ansehen' (reputation, prestige), and understand how the verb's core meaning of 'being looked at' evolves into the concept of social standing or respect. They can effortlessly switch between the active and passive voices, and they understand the subtle pragmatic differences between various verbs of perception in highly specific contexts. The challenge at this level is not grammatical correctness—which is expected to be flawless—but rather the ability to use the verb with the same intuitive precision and cultural awareness as a native speaker, employing it to convey subtle shades of meaning, irony, or critical evaluation in complex debates and sophisticated narratives.

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At the C2 level, the highest level of proficiency, the learner's understanding of 'ansehen' is virtually indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker. They possess a comprehensive grasp of the verb's historical evolution, its regional variations, and its deepest semantic layers. C2 learners can analyze how 'ansehen' is used in classical German literature, philosophy, and historical documents, understanding archaic or highly specialized usages. They are acutely aware of the subtle register shifts when choosing between 'ansehen', 'betrachten', 'erachten', or 'befinden', and can justify their lexical choices based on rhythm, tone, and precise semantic intent. At this level, the focus is often on the socio-linguistic aspects of the word, such as how the concept of 'Ansehen' (reputation) functions within German cultural and professional hierarchies. They can play with the language, creating novel metaphors or subverting standard idioms based on the root verb. The usage of 'ansehen' is entirely automatic, allowing the learner to focus entirely on the complex intellectual or emotional content of their communication. They can deconstruct complex passive constructions in academic texts, such as 'Unter diesen Prämissen ist das Phänomen als obsolet anzusehen' (Under these premises, the phenomenon is to be regarded as obsolete), demonstrating absolute mastery over the syntactic and semantic potential of the German language.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

ansehen en 30 segundos

Means 'to look at' or 'to watch'.
It is a separable verb (an + sehen).
Use reflexively (dative) for watching media.
Can mean 'to consider as' (ansehen als).

The German verb 'ansehen' is a highly versatile and frequently used lexical item that fundamentally translates to 'to look at', 'to watch', or 'to view' in English. Understanding its multifaceted nature is crucial for learners aiming to achieve fluency, as it bridges the gap between simple visual perception and active, directed cognitive engagement with a subject. When we analyze the morphological structure of 'ansehen', we immediately recognize it as a separable prefix verb, composed of the prepositional prefix 'an-' and the core strong verb 'sehen'. The prefix 'an-' typically denotes contact, approach, or directed action, which perfectly modifies the passive act of seeing ('sehen') into an active, intentional process of directing one's gaze toward a specific target. This distinction is vital; while 'sehen' might happen accidentally or passively as light enters the eyes, 'ansehen' requires volition and focus.

Morphology: The verb consists of the separable prefix 'an' and the root verb 'sehen', indicating a directed visual action.

Furthermore, 'ansehen' operates in multiple syntactic frameworks. It can function as a simple transitive verb taking an accusative object, such as when looking at a picture or a person.

Er will das schöne Bild ansehen.

However, its most common and arguably most important usage for intermediate learners is its reflexive form, 'sich (dative) etwas (accusative) ansehen'. This structure is the standard way to express watching a movie, a television show, a theatrical performance, or examining an object closely for personal interest or evaluation. The semantic field of 'ansehen' extends beyond mere physical sight. It also encompasses the cognitive process of consideration or regarding someone or something in a particular way, often translated as 'to consider' or 'to regard as'. For instance, one might say they regard someone as a friend ('jemanden als Freund ansehen'). This abstract usage highlights the verb's evolution from a purely physical description to a metaphorical one involving judgment and perspective.

Abstract Meaning: To consider or evaluate someone or something in a specific light or category, often used with the preposition 'als'.

Ich werde mir den neuen Kinofilm ansehen.

Wir müssen uns die Dokumente genau ansehen.

To fully grasp 'ansehen', learners must also appreciate its role in idiomatic expressions. For example, 'jemandem etwas an der Nasenspitze ansehen' means to easily tell what someone is thinking or feeling just by looking at them, literally 'to see something on the tip of someone's nose'. This demonstrates how deeply embedded the concept of visual deduction is within the German linguistic consciousness.

Idiomatic Usage: Used in various phrases to indicate that a person's emotions or intentions are visually obvious to the observer.

Man kann ihm die Müdigkeit deutlich ansehen.

Sie wird sich das Museum morgen ansehen.

In summary, 'ansehen' is not just a word for visual perception; it is a complex verb that captures intentionality, personal engagement, cognitive evaluation, and even intuitive understanding. Mastering its various forms, especially the separable prefix mechanics and the dative reflexive construction, is a significant milestone for any student of the German language, unlocking a vast array of expressive possibilities in both everyday conversation and formal discourse.

Using the verb 'ansehen' correctly requires a solid understanding of German sentence structure, particularly the rules governing separable prefix verbs and reflexive pronouns. Because 'ansehen' is a separable verb, the prefix 'an' detaches from the main verb 'sehen' in present and simple past tenses when used in a main clause. The main verb 'sehen' takes the second position in the sentence, conjugated to match the subject, while the prefix 'an' is sent to the very end of the clause. This 'bracket' structure is a hallmark of German syntax and must be mastered to use 'ansehen' naturally.

Main Clause Syntax: In a standard main clause, the conjugated form of 'sehen' is in position two, and 'an' goes to the absolute end.

Ich sehe das große Gebäude an.

However, when 'ansehen' is used with a modal verb (like wollen, können, müssen), the modal verb takes the second position, and 'ansehen' remains in its infinitive form at the end of the sentence, with the prefix firmly attached. This makes sentences with modal verbs somewhat easier for beginners, as they do not have to worry about separating the prefix.

Wir haben uns den Film gestern angesehen.

The most complex aspect of using 'ansehen' for many learners is its reflexive usage. When you watch a movie, a play, or examine an object for yourself, you use the construction 'sich (Dativ) etwas (Akkusativ) ansehen'. The reflexive pronoun must be in the dative case because the direct object (the thing being watched) is already occupying the accusative slot. For the first person singular, this means using 'mir' instead of 'mich'. For the second person singular, it is 'dir' instead of 'dich'.

Reflexive Pronouns: Always use the dative reflexive pronouns: mir, dir, sich, uns, euch, sich when a direct object is present.

Du siehst dir die schönen Bilder an.

Er möchte sich das neue Auto ansehen.

In subordinate clauses, introduced by conjunctions like 'weil', 'dass', or 'wenn', the entire verb is pushed to the end of the clause. In this case, the prefix and the main verb recombine into a single word. This rule applies across all tenses and forms, requiring learners to mentally track the verb components and assemble them correctly at the sentence's conclusion.

Subordinate Clauses: The separated prefix reunites with the conjugated verb at the very end of a dependent clause.

Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich mir einen Film ansehen will.

Mastery of these structural rules allows for precise and nuanced expression. Whether you are casually mentioning that you are watching television, formally stating that a committee is reviewing a proposal, or abstractly considering someone as a mentor, the grammatical mechanics of 'ansehen' remain consistent. Practice with varying sentence structures—main clauses, questions, modal constructions, and subordinate clauses—is essential for internalizing the rhythm and flow of this indispensable German verb.

The verb 'ansehen' is ubiquitous in the German language, permeating virtually every context where visual perception, media consumption, or evaluation occurs. One of the most frequent environments where learners will encounter 'ansehen' is in discussions about entertainment and media. Whenever German speakers talk about watching a movie at the cinema, streaming a television series at home, or viewing a video online, 'ansehen' is the verb of choice. In these casual, everyday conversations, the reflexive form 'sich etwas ansehen' is standard. You will constantly hear phrases like 'Hast du dir den neuen Film schon angesehen?' (Have you watched the new movie yet?) in cafes, workplaces, and social gatherings.

Media Consumption: The primary verb used for watching films, TV shows, videos, and theatrical performances.

Wir wollen uns heute Abend eine Komödie ansehen.

Beyond entertainment, 'ansehen' is heavily utilized in contexts involving inspection, examination, or tourism. When visiting a museum, an art gallery, or a historical monument, tourists 'sehen sich die Sehenswürdigkeiten an' (look at the sights). In a commercial setting, if you are shopping for a new car, an apartment, or even a piece of clothing, you would use 'ansehen' to describe the act of closely inspecting the item before making a decision.

Der Arzt muss sich die Wunde genau ansehen.

Interpersonal Contexts: Used to describe the act of looking at a person, often to gauge their reaction, emotion, or physical state.

In interpersonal communication, 'ansehen' describes the literal act of looking at someone. If someone is speaking to you and you are distracted, they might demand, 'Sieh mich an, wenn ich mit dir rede!' (Look at me when I'm talking to you!). It is also used to deduce information from someone's appearance. For example, if a friend looks exhausted, you might remark, 'Man sieht dir an, dass du müde bist' (One can tell by looking at you that you are tired). This specific usage, where the person being looked at is in the dative case and the thing being perceived is a subordinate clause or accusative object, is very common in empathetic or observant dialogue.

Sie sah ihn lange und schweigend an.

Ich sehe ihn als meinen besten Freund an.

Academic and Formal: In literature and formal speech, it denotes consideration or theoretical examination of a subject.

Finally, in more abstract, formal, or academic registers, 'ansehen' is used to express how a concept, situation, or person is regarded or classified. Politicians might discuss how a new law is 'angesehen' (viewed) by the public. Academics might 'ansehen' a historical event from a specific theoretical perspective. This broad spectrum of application—from the mundane act of watching TV to the critical evaluation of complex documents and the empathetic reading of facial expressions—makes 'ansehen' an indispensable tool for navigating the German-speaking world.

Wir müssen dieses Problem als Chance ansehen.

Familiarizing yourself with these diverse contexts will significantly enhance your listening comprehension and conversational fluency.

When learning the German verb 'ansehen', students frequently encounter several grammatical and semantic pitfalls that can lead to confusion or unnatural-sounding speech. The most prevalent error, particularly among beginners, relates to the verb's separable nature. Because English does not have an exact equivalent to German separable prefix verbs, English speakers often forget to detach the prefix 'an' and move it to the end of the main clause. Instead of saying 'Ich sehe das Bild an', a learner might incorrectly say 'Ich ansehe das Bild'. This structural error immediately marks the speaker as a novice and disrupts the natural rhythm of the German sentence.

Prefix Separation: Failing to move 'an' to the end of a main clause in present and simple past tenses is a classic beginner mistake.

FALSCH: Ich ansehe den Film. RICHTIG: Ich sehe den Film an.

Another major source of difficulty is the reflexive usage of 'ansehen', specifically the choice of the correct reflexive pronoun case. When expressing the idea of watching something (like a movie or a play), the construction is 'sich (Dativ) etwas (Akkusativ) ansehen'. Because the direct object (the movie) is in the accusative case, the reflexive pronoun must take the dative case. Learners frequently default to the accusative reflexive pronoun, resulting in the incorrect sentence 'Ich sehe mich den Film an' instead of the correct 'Ich sehe mir den Film an'.

FALSCH: Du siehst dich das Video an. RICHTIG: Du siehst dir das Video an.

Reflexive Case Confusion: Using accusative (mich/dich) instead of dative (mir/dir) when a direct accusative object is present.

Furthermore, learners often confuse 'ansehen' with other verbs of visual perception, such as 'zusehen', 'anschauen', or simply 'sehen'. While 'ansehen' implies looking at a static object or watching a piece of media, 'zusehen' implies watching an ongoing action or process, often with a sense of observation without participation (e.g., watching someone cook). Using 'ansehen' when 'zusehen' is required alters the meaning. For instance, 'Ich sehe dem Handwerker an' would mean 'I look at the craftsman (his physical appearance)', whereas 'Ich sehe dem Handwerker zu' means 'I watch the craftsman (doing his work)'.

FALSCH: Ich sehe beim Kochen an. RICHTIG: Ich sehe beim Kochen zu.

Vocabulary Confusion: Mixing up 'ansehen' (to look at an object/media) with 'zusehen' (to watch an action/process).

Finally, a subtle but common error involves the past participle. Because 'sehen' is a strong verb, its past participle is 'gesehen'. With the separable prefix, it becomes 'angesehen'. Some learners mistakenly apply weak verb conjugation rules, producing forms like 'angeseht', which are entirely incorrect.

FALSCH: Ich habe das angeseht. RICHTIG: Ich habe das angesehen.

Er hat sich die Ausstellung angesehen.

By consciously practicing the separation of the prefix, strictly adhering to the dative case for reflexive pronouns in media contexts, distinguishing between different verbs of perception, and memorizing the strong past participle, learners can eliminate these common mistakes and use 'ansehen' with confidence and grammatical precision.

The German language is exceptionally rich in verbs related to visual perception, offering a nuanced spectrum of words that translate roughly to 'look', 'watch', or 'see' in English. While 'ansehen' is a foundational term, understanding its synonyms and related verbs is essential for developing a precise and expressive vocabulary. The most direct synonym for 'ansehen' is 'anschauen'. In many contexts, particularly in spoken German, these two verbs are completely interchangeable. You can say 'Ich sehe mir einen Film an' or 'Ich schaue mir einen Film an' with virtually no difference in meaning. However, 'anschauen' is often perceived as slightly more colloquial or regional, being particularly favored in southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, whereas 'ansehen' is universally accepted in standard High German (Hochdeutsch) and formal writing.

anschauen: A direct, often more colloquial synonym for 'ansehen', widely used in spoken German, especially in southern regions.

Wir können uns das Museum anschauen.

Another highly common, even more informal alternative is 'angucken'. This verb is predominantly used in northern and central Germany in casual, everyday speech. While perfectly acceptable among friends or family ('Lass uns einen Film angucken'), it should generally be avoided in formal writing or professional contexts where 'ansehen' would be the appropriate choice.

angucken: A very informal, colloquial verb meaning to look at or watch, common in northern Germany.

Guck dir das mal an!

Moving towards more specific types of looking, we encounter 'betrachten'. This verb implies a longer, more thoughtful, or analytical kind of looking. You would 'betrachten' a complex painting in a gallery, a beautiful landscape, or a difficult problem. It carries a sense of contemplation or evaluation that goes deeper than the simple visual intake of 'ansehen'.

Er stand da und betrachtete das Gemälde.

'Beobachten' translates to 'to observe' or 'to watch' in the sense of monitoring an ongoing situation, an animal's behavior, or a suspect. It implies keeping an eye on something over a period of time to gather information or note changes, distinct from 'ansehen', which is more about consuming a discrete piece of visual information like a movie or a static object.

beobachten: To observe or monitor something over time, often for scientific, security, or informational purposes.

Der Wissenschaftler beobachtet die Vögel.

Finally, 'zusehen' means to watch an action or process happen, often taking a dative object. You 'siehst zu' when someone is playing a game, cooking a meal, or performing a task. It emphasizes the observation of an activity rather than looking at an object.

Ich mag es, dir beim Kochen zuzusehen.

By distinguishing between 'ansehen', 'anschauen', 'angucken', 'betrachten', 'beobachten', and 'zusehen', learners can express exact shades of meaning, transforming their German from basic communication to sophisticated fluency.

How Formal Is It?

Nivel de dificultad

Gramática que debes saber

Separable Verbs (Trennbare Verben)

Reflexive Verbs with Dative (Reflexive Verben mit Dativ)

Strong Verbs (Starke Verben - Vowel Change e -> ie)

Subordinate Clauses (Nebensätze - Verb at the end)

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Ejemplos por nivel

Ich sehe das Bild an.

I look at the picture.

Separable prefix 'an' moves to the end of the main clause.

Er sieht das Haus an.

He looks at the house.

Third person singular conjugation of 'sehen' is 'sieht'.

Wir sehen den Hund an.

We look at the dog.

'den Hund' is the direct object in the accusative case.

Siehst du das Auto an?

Are you looking at the car?

In a yes/no question, the conjugated verb is in the first position, prefix at the end.

Das Kind sieht den Apfel an.

The child looks at the apple.

Basic Subject-Verb-Object-Prefix structure.

Sie sehen die Blumen an.

They look at the flowers.

Plural conjugation 'sehen'.

Ich will das ansehen.

I want to look at that.

With a modal verb (will), 'ansehen' stays in the infinitive at the end.

Bitte sieh mich an!

Please look at me!

Imperative form. 'sieh' is the singular command form of 'sehen'.

Ich sehe mir einen Film an.

I am watching a movie.

Reflexive use with dative pronoun 'mir' because 'einen Film' is accusative.

Hast du dir das Video angesehen?

Did you watch the video?

Perfect tense: auxiliary 'hast' + past participle 'angesehen'.

Wir wollen uns das Museum ansehen.

We want to look at the museum.

Modal verb 'wollen' with reflexive infinitive construction.

Er sieht sich die Fotos an.

He is looking at the photos.

Third person reflexive pronoun is 'sich'.

Sieh dir das mal an!

Take a look at this!

Imperative with dative reflexive pronoun 'dir'.

Ich habe mir die Stadt angesehen.

I took a look at the city (I went sightseeing).

Common phrase for sightseeing using the perfect tense.

Können wir uns das Auto ansehen?

Can we take a look at the car?

Question with modal verb 'können'.

Du musst dir diese Serie ansehen.

You have to watch this series.

Expressing a strong recommendation using 'müssen'.

Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich mir ein Fußballspiel ansehen möchte.

I am staying home because I want to watch a football game.

Subordinate clause with 'weil' pushes the entire verb complex to the end.

Man sieht ihm an, dass er sehr müde ist.

You can tell by looking at him that he is very tired.

Idiomatic usage: 'jemandem (Dativ) etwas ansehen' (to tell something by looking at someone).

Ich sehe ihn als einen guten Freund an.

I consider him a good friend.

Abstract meaning 'to consider as', used with the preposition 'als'.

Wir haben uns die Wohnung angesehen, aber sie war zu teuer.

We looked at the apartment, but it was too expensive.

Connecting two main clauses with 'aber' after a perfect tense construction.

Wenn du Zeit hast, sollten wir uns die Ausstellung ansehen.

If you have time, we should check out the exhibition.

Conditional sentence with 'wenn', followed by a main clause starting with the verb.

Der Arzt muss sich die Verletzung genau ansehen.

The doctor needs to take a close look at the injury.

Using 'genau' (closely/exactly) to modify the verb.

Ich kann es nicht mit ansehen, wie das Tier leidet.

I can't bear to watch how the animal is suffering.

The phrase 'etwas mit ansehen' implies witnessing something, often unpleasant.

Bevor wir das kaufen, müssen wir es uns ansehen.

Before we buy that, we have to look at it.

Temporal subordinate clause with 'bevor'.

Dieses Verhalten wird in unserer Gesellschaft als inakzeptabel angesehen.

This behavior is regarded as unacceptable in our society.

Passive voice construction 'wird ... angesehen'.

Man konnte ihr die Enttäuschung deutlich ansehen.

You could clearly see the disappointment on her face.

Past tense (Präteritum) of the modal verb 'können' with the idiomatic 'jemandem etwas ansehen'.

Wir müssen die Angelegenheit von verschiedenen Seiten ansehen.

We must look at the matter from different angles.

Abstract usage meaning to examine or analyze a situation.

Er ist ein hoch angesehener Wissenschaftler auf seinem Gebiet.

He is a highly respected scientist in his field.

Using the past participle 'angesehen' as an adjective meaning 'respected'.

Ich habe mir die Unterlagen durchgelesen und genau angesehen.

I read through the documents and looked at them closely.

Combining two separable verbs in the perfect tense.

Es ist faszinierend anzusehen, wie schnell Kinder lernen.

It is fascinating to watch how quickly children learn.

Infinitive clause with 'zu' inserted between the prefix and the verb: 'anzusehen'.

Sie sah ihn prüfend an, bevor sie antwortete.

She looked at him scrutinizingly before she answered.

Using an adverbial participle ('prüfend') to describe the manner of looking.

Das Gesetz wird als ein wichtiger Schritt in die richtige Richtung angesehen.

The law is viewed as an important step in the right direction.

Formal passive voice used in political or journalistic contexts.

Man sieht ihm seine bäuerliche Herkunft auf den ersten Blick an.

You can tell his rural origins at first glance.

Advanced idiomatic expression of deducing background from appearance.

Ich musste tatenlos mit ansehen, wie das Projekt scheiterte.

I had to stand by and watch as the project failed.

The construction 'tatenlos mit ansehen' implies helpless observation.

Unter diesen Umständen ist der Vertrag als nichtig anzusehen.

Under these circumstances, the contract is to be regarded as void.

Formal legal/administrative phrasing using 'ist ... anzusehen' (is to be regarded).

Sein Ansehen in der Fachwelt hat durch den Skandal stark gelitten.

His reputation in the professional world has suffered greatly due to the scandal.

Using the nominalized noun 'das Ansehen' (reputation/prestige).

Man konnte ihr die jahrelange harte Arbeit an den Händen ansehen.

You could see the years of hard work on her hands.

Poetic/descriptive use of deducing history from physical traits.

Er sieht sich selbst als Opfer der Umstände an.

He considers himself a victim of circumstance.

Psychological/abstract usage of reflexive 'sich als etwas ansehen'.

Die Kritiker sahen den Film als ein Meisterwerk der modernen Kinematographie an.

The critics regarded the film as a masterpiece of modern cinematography.

Präteritum (simple past) used in formal written reviews.

Es ist ein unschöner Anblick, den man sich nicht freiwillig ansieht.

It is an unpleasant sight that one does not look at voluntarily.

Playing with the noun 'Anblick' and the verb 'ansehen' in the same sentence.

In Anbetracht der Faktenlage ist diese Hypothese als obsolet anzusehen.

In light of the facts, this hypothesis is to be considered obsolete.

Highly academic register using 'in Anbetracht' and 'ist ... anzusehen'.

Man sah ihm die Strapazen der wochenlangen Expedition förmlich an der Nasenspitze an.

You could literally see the hardships of the weeks-long expedition on his face.

Combining the idiom 'an der Nasenspitze ansehen' with elevated vocabulary ('Strapazen').

Der Autor sieht die gesellschaftliche Entwicklung als einen unaufhaltsamen Verfallsprozess an.

The author views societal development as an unstoppable process of decay.

Expressing complex philosophical viewpoints.

Er genoss ein hohes Ansehen, bis seine Verfehlungen publik wurden.

He enjoyed high prestige until his transgressions became public.

Sophisticated use of the noun 'Ansehen' in a historical narrative context.

Ich kann diese Ungerechtigkeit nicht länger schweigend mit ansehen.

I can no longer watch this injustice in silence.

Dramatic, rhetorical usage expressing moral outrage.

Das Kunstwerk ist so konzipiert, dass es von allen Seiten angesehen werden muss.

The artwork is designed in such a way that it must be viewed from all sides.

Passive infinitive with a modal verb ('angesehen werden muss').

Sie sah ihn mit einer Mischung aus Mitleid und Verachtung an.

She looked at him with a mixture of pity and contempt.

Describing nuanced emotional states conveyed through a look.

Es steht uns nicht zu, diese Traditionen als rückständig anzusehen.

It is not our place to regard these traditions as backward.

Expressing cultural relativism and critical thought.

Colocaciones comunes

einen Film ansehen

sich die Bilder ansehen

jemanden genau ansehen

als Freund ansehen

als Feind ansehen

tatenlos mit ansehen

sich die Stadt ansehen

prüfend ansehen

streng ansehen

fragend ansehen

Frases Comunes

Sieh dir das an!

Lass uns das ansehen.

Ich muss mir das ansehen.

Man sieht es ihm an.

Das kann man sich ansehen.

Ich sehe das anders an.

Wir werden sehen und ansehen.

Sich die Sehenswürdigkeiten ansehen.

Jemanden von oben bis unten ansehen.

Sich etwas im Fernsehen ansehen.

Se confunde a menudo con

ansehen vs aussehen

ansehen vs zusehen

ansehen vs einsehen

Modismos y expresiones

"jemandem etwas an der Nasenspitze ansehen"

"etwas mit ansehen müssen"

"schlecht angesehen sein"

"hoch angesehen sein"

"jemanden für voll ansehen"

"etwas als gegeben ansehen"

"sich nicht satt ansehen können"

"jemanden schief ansehen"

"jemanden groß ansehen"

"etwas als seine Pflicht ansehen"

Fácil de confundir

ansehen vs aussehen

'Aussehen' means 'to look like' or 'to appear' (e.g., You look tired). 'Ansehen' means 'to look at' (e.g., I look at the picture).

ansehen vs zusehen

'Zusehen' means to watch an action or process happen (e.g., watching someone cook). 'Ansehen' is for static objects or media.

ansehen vs einsehen

'Einsehen' means to realize, understand, or acknowledge a mistake. It is abstract, whereas 'ansehen' is primarily visual.

ansehen vs übersehen

'Übersehen' means to overlook or fail to notice something, the opposite of carefully looking at it ('ansehen').

ansehen vs versehen

'Sich versehen' means to make a mistake or to accidentally do something wrong, unrelated to visual perception.

Patrones de oraciones

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Cómo usarlo

note

While 'ansehen' is standard, regional preferences strongly dictate spoken usage. Don't be surprised if native speakers use 'anschauen' almost exclusively in the south.

Errores comunes

Forgetting to separate the prefix 'an' in main clauses (e.g., saying 'Ich ansehe das Bild').
Using the accusative reflexive pronoun 'mich' instead of the dative 'mir' when watching something (e.g., 'Ich sehe mich den Film an').
Confusing 'ansehen' (to look at) with 'aussehen' (to look like/appear).
Using 'ansehen' when 'zusehen' is required for watching an ongoing action (e.g., watching someone cook).
Forming the past participle incorrectly as 'angeseht' instead of 'angesehen'.

Consejos

The Dative Reflexive Rule

When watching media, always use the dative reflexive pronoun. Say 'Ich sehe MIR den Film an', not 'MICH'. The movie is the direct object, so the reflexive pronoun takes the dative slot.

Regional Variations

Don't be confused if you hear 'anschauen' in Munich or 'angucken' in Berlin. They all mean 'ansehen'. Use 'ansehen' in writing to be safe everywhere.

Bracket Structure

In main clauses, put 'an' at the very end. 'Ich sehe das schöne, große, alte Haus an.' No matter how long the sentence gets, 'an' waits at the finish line.

Considering vs. Looking

If you see 'ansehen' paired with 'als', it means 'to consider as'. 'Ich sehe das als Fehler an' means 'I consider that a mistake', not literally looking at a mistake.

Reading Faces

Use the phrase 'jemandem etwas ansehen' to say you can tell something by looking at someone. 'Man sieht dir deine Freude an' (One can see your joy by looking at you).

Vowel Change in Present Tense

Remember that 'sehen' is a strong verb. In the 'du' and 'er/sie/es' forms, the 'e' changes to 'ie'. Du siehst an, er sieht an. Don't say 'du sehst an'.

Giving Commands

To tell someone to look at something, say 'Sieh dir das an!' (informal singular), 'Seht euch das an!' (informal plural), or 'Sehen Sie sich das an!' (formal).

Past Participle Formation

The past participle is 'angesehen'. The 'ge' goes between the prefix and the root. Never write 'geansehen' or 'angeseht'.

Spotting the Prefix

When listening to German, wait until the speaker finishes the sentence. If they end with 'an', they changed the meaning of the verb from 'see' to 'look at'.

Media Consumption

Make 'sich etwas ansehen' your default verb for watching TV, movies, or YouTube. It sounds much more natural than just using 'sehen'.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of 'AN' as 'AT' and 'SEHEN' as 'SEE'. To SEE AT something is to look at it.

Origen de la palabra

From Middle High German 'ansehen', Old High German 'anasehan'.

Contexto cultural

'Anschauen' is preferred in the South (Bavaria, Austria), while 'angucken' is common in the North. 'Ansehen' is understood everywhere.

Using 'ansehen' is standard in all levels of formality. 'Angucken' is strictly informal.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Inicios de conversación

"Welchen Film hast du dir zuletzt angesehen?"

"Siehst du dir gerne Dokumentationen an?"

"Was sollten wir uns in dieser Stadt unbedingt ansehen?"

"Woran kann man dir ansehen, dass du gestresst bist?"

"Siehst du das als ein Problem an?"

Temas para diario

Beschreibe ein Kunstwerk, das du dir kürzlich angesehen hast.

Welche Serie siehst du dir gerade an und warum?

Gibt es etwas, das du als großen Fehler ansiehst?

Beschreibe eine Person, der man ihr Alter nicht ansieht.

Was siehst du dir am liebsten im Internet an?

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

You must use 'mir'. The correct sentence is 'Ich sehe mir den Film an'. Because 'den Film' is the direct object in the accusative case, the reflexive pronoun must take the dative case. Using 'mich' would be grammatically incorrect and sound very unnatural to a native speaker. Always remember: 'Ich sehe mir etwas an'.

There is virtually no difference in meaning between 'ansehen' and 'anschauen'. Both mean to look at or to watch. The difference is primarily regional and stylistic. 'Anschauen' is more common in spoken German, especially in southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. 'Ansehen' is considered standard High German and is preferred in formal writing.

Because 'ansehen' is a separable prefix verb. In German, when a separable verb is used in a main clause in the present or simple past tense, the prefix detaches from the main verb. The conjugated main verb ('sehe') takes the second position in the sentence, and the prefix ('an') is placed at the very end. This creates a 'bracket' around the rest of the sentence.

Yes, 'ansehen' can be used abstractly to mean 'to consider' or 'to regard as'. In this context, it is almost always used with the preposition 'als'. For example, 'Ich sehe ihn als einen Freund an' means 'I consider him a friend'. This usage is very common in both spoken and written German to express opinions or evaluations.

The perfect tense (Perfekt) is formed with the auxiliary verb 'haben' and the past participle 'angesehen'. For example: 'Ich habe den Film angesehen'. The simple past tense (Präteritum), which is used more in writing, is formed by changing the vowel: 'Ich sah den Film an'. Remember that 'sehen' is a strong verb, so it has irregular forms.

This is a very common idiomatic expression. It translates to 'You can tell by looking at him'. It is used when someone's physical appearance reveals their emotional state, health, or background. For example, if someone is very tired, you might say 'Man sieht ihm an, dass er müde ist'. Notice that the person being looked at is in the dative case ('ihm').

Yes, 'angucken' is a real and very common word, but it is highly colloquial. It means the same thing as 'ansehen' and 'anschauen'. It is used primarily in northern and central Germany in casual conversation among friends and family. You should avoid using 'angucken' in formal writing, business emails, or official contexts.

In a subordinate clause (e.g., starting with 'weil', 'dass', 'wenn'), the conjugated verb must go to the very end of the sentence. When this happens with a separable verb like 'ansehen', the prefix and the main verb recombine into a single word. For example: '...weil ich mir den Film ansehe'. The prefix does not separate in this case.

The direct noun form is 'das Ansehen'. Interestingly, while the verb means 'to look at', the noun 'das Ansehen' usually translates to 'reputation', 'prestige', or 'respect'. If someone has 'hohes Ansehen', they are highly respected. If you want a noun for the physical act of looking, you would use 'der Anblick' (the sight/view).

Yes, absolutely. You can say 'Ich sehe mir das Fußballspiel an'. It is the standard verb for watching any kind of media or performance, including sports, movies, theater plays, and television shows. Just remember to use the reflexive dative construction.

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