Meaning
To state what one is trying to find.
Cultural Background
The 'Wohnungssuche' (apartment search) is a major life event. People often create 'Bewerbungsmappen' (application folders) just to search for a flat. In Viennese shops, you might hear 'Suchen S' wos?' (Are you looking for something?) in a local dialect. It's common to be very specific about what you want. Swiss German speakers might use 'sueche'. In formal settings, the standard 'Ich suche' is always used. Germans have fully adopted 'googeln', but for official search bars on websites, the button almost always says 'Suchen'.
No 'für'!
Never say 'Ich suche für...'. It's the most common mistake for English speakers.
The Masculine Change
Always check if your object is masculine. If it is, use 'den' or 'einen'.
Meaning
To state what one is trying to find.
No 'für'!
Never say 'Ich suche für...'. It's the most common mistake for English speakers.
The Masculine Change
Always check if your object is masculine. If it is, use 'den' or 'einen'.
Be Direct
In German shops, it's polite to say exactly what you are looking for immediately.
Digital Search
On German websites, look for the magnifying glass icon; it will always be labeled 'Suchen'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct Accusative article (den, die, das).
Ich suche ____ {Bahnhof|m}.
Bahnhof is masculine, and in the Accusative case, 'der' changes to 'den'.
Which sentence is correct?
You want to say you are looking for your keys.
German doesn't use 'für' with 'suchen', and 'besuchen' means to visit a person.
Complete the dialogue in the shop.
Verkäufer: Kann ich Ihnen helfen? Kunde: Ja, ____ ____ {einen|m} {Mantel|m}.
The customer is stating what they are looking for.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are at a party and can't find your friend Thomas.
You use 'Ich suche' followed by the person's name when looking for them.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Accusative Articles with 'suchen'
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIch suche ____ {Bahnhof|m}.
Bahnhof is masculine, and in the Accusative case, 'der' changes to 'den'.
You want to say you are looking for your keys.
German doesn't use 'für' with 'suchen', and 'besuchen' means to visit a person.
Verkäufer: Kann ich Ihnen helfen? Kunde: Ja, ____ ____ {einen|m} {Mantel|m}.
The customer is stating what they are looking for.
Situation: You are at a party and can't find your friend Thomas.
You use 'Ich suche' followed by the person's name when looking for them.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but only if you are trying to find them (e.g., in a crowd). If you are visiting them, use 'besuchen'.
'Suchen' takes a direct object (I'm looking for my keys). 'Suchen nach' is for more abstract or intensive searches (I'm searching for the truth).
Say 'Ich schaue nur, danke.' Don't use 'suchen' here.
It is neutral. You can use it with friends or with a boss.
Yes, when used as a simple transitive verb, the object is always in the Accusative case.
The noun is '{die|f} {Suche|f}' and the verb is 'suchen'.
The most common past tense is 'habe gesucht' (Perfekt).
No, this is a literal translation of 'I am searching' and sounds very unnatural in German.
'Suchen' is everyday looking; 'forschen' is scientific research.
Not really, but 'checken' or 'gucken' are used in related casual contexts.
Related Phrases
finden
contrastto find
besuchen
similarto visit
versuchen
similarto try
untersuchen
specialized formto examine
durchsuchen
specialized formto search through
