Meaning
To quickly look at something.
Cultural Background
In German business culture, this phrase is a polite way to ask for feedback without demanding a full review. It respects the 'Feierabend' (end of work) culture by implying the task is small. Swiss German speakers might use 'es Müntschi' or other local variations, but in formal Swiss Standard German, 'einen Blick werfen' is standard for professional contexts. Austrians might use 'schauen' more frequently in casual speech, but 'einen Blick werfen' is preferred in Viennese 'Kaffeehauskultur' when asking for the newspaper. On German Instagram or TikTok, influencers often use 'Wirf einen Blick in meine Story' (Take a look at my story). Note that 'in' is used here because a 'Story' is seen as a container/room.
Use 'mal'
Always add 'mal' (Können Sie mal einen Blick...) to sound more like a native speaker. It softens the request.
Case Alert
Don't forget the 'n' in 'einen'. It's masculine accusative!
Meaning
To quickly look at something.
Use 'mal'
Always add 'mal' (Können Sie mal einen Blick...) to sound more like a native speaker. It softens the request.
Case Alert
Don't forget the 'n' in 'einen'. It's masculine accusative!
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'werfen' and the correct article.
Du _______ einen Blick auf _______ (der) Brief.
The subject 'du' requires 'wirfst'. 'Brief' is masculine accusative after 'auf'.
Which sentence is correct?
Checking a menu in a restaurant:
The standard idiom uses 'auf' + accusative.
Complete the dialogue.
Chef: 'Haben Sie den Bericht fertig?' Angestellter: 'Fast. Könnten Sie bitte schon mal _______?'
'Darauf' is used to refer back to 'den Bericht' (auf + ihn).
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesDu _______ einen Blick auf _______ (der) Brief.
The subject 'du' requires 'wirfst'. 'Brief' is masculine accusative after 'auf'.
Checking a menu in a restaurant:
The standard idiom uses 'auf' + accusative.
Chef: 'Haben Sie den Bericht fertig?' Angestellter: 'Fast. Könnten Sie bitte schon mal _______?'
'Darauf' is used to refer back to 'den Bericht' (auf + ihn).
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but it implies a quick glance. If you stare, use 'anstarren'.
Usually 'auf'. Use 'in' only for things you look inside of, like a book or a mirror.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
'Ansehen' is neutral and can be long. 'Einen Blick werfen' is always short.
No, that is a literal translation from English/Portuguese and sounds wrong in German.
Use 'einen genaueren Blick werfen'.
In this specific idiom, yes. You can also 'einen Blick erhaschen' (catch a glimpse).
Yes: 'Ich warf einen Blick' or 'Ich habe einen Blick geworfen'.
No, it's actually quite polite because it suggests you won't take much of the other person's time.
Yes, 'Wirf einen Blick auf unsere Webseite' is very common in advertising.
Related Phrases
ins Auge fassen
similarTo consider or plan something.
unter die Lupe nehmen
contrastTo examine very closely (under a magnifying glass).
begutachten
specialized formTo inspect as an expert.
