Videos ansehen
To watch videos
Literally: Videos (videos) + an (at) + sehen (to see/look)
In 15 Seconds
- Standard way to say 'watching videos' on any digital device.
- Uses the separable verb 'ansehen', so 'an' often goes to the end.
- Works for YouTube, Netflix, tutorials, and social media clips.
Meaning
This phrase describes the act of watching digital video content, whether it's a short clip on social media, a tutorial, or a movie on a streaming platform.
Key Examples
3 of 6Talking about hobbies with a new acquaintance
In meiner Freizeit sehe ich gerne Videos an.
In my free time, I like to watch videos.
At the office explaining a task
Ich muss mir zuerst das Erklärvideo ansehen.
I have to watch the explainer video first.
Texting a friend about a funny clip
Du musst dir dieses Video ansehen! Es ist so lustig.
You have to watch this video! It is so funny.
Cultural Background
Germans use YouTube heavily for 'DIY' (Do It Yourself) and 'Ratgeber' (advice) content. It's very common to 'ein Video ansehen' to fix a bike or learn a recipe. In Austria, the word 'anschauen' is often preferred over 'ansehen' in spoken language, though both are perfectly understood. Due to multilingualism, many Swiss people 'Videos ansehen' in German, French, or English, often with subtitles ('mit Untertiteln'). The 'Public Service Broadcasting' (ÖRR) in Germany, like ARD and ZDF, has huge 'Mediatheken' (online libraries) where people 'Videos ansehen' instead of watching live TV.
Use the reflexive
Always try to use 'mir' (Ich sehe **mir** ein Video an). It makes you sound much more like a native speaker.
Separable Verb Alert
Don't forget to put 'an' at the very end of your sentence in the present tense!
In 15 Seconds
- Standard way to say 'watching videos' on any digital device.
- Uses the separable verb 'ansehen', so 'an' often goes to the end.
- Works for YouTube, Netflix, tutorials, and social media clips.
What It Means
Videos ansehen is the bread and butter of modern German life. It simply means to watch videos. You use it for YouTube clips, TikToks, or Netflix series. The verb ansehen implies a bit more focus than just sehen. It’s like the difference between 'seeing' a bird and 'watching' a movie. You are actively paying attention to the screen.
How To Use It
This phrase uses a separable verb, ansehen. This is a classic German grammar trap! When you use it in a simple sentence, the an flies to the very end. You say, Ich sehe ein Video an. If you use a helper verb like möchte (want), it stays together at the end. For example, Ich möchte Videos ansehen. It’s like a sandwich where the verb parts are the bread.
When To Use It
Use this phrase when talking about your hobbies. It’s perfect for small talk at a party. You can use it when you're learning something new. Tell your boss you are ein Tutorial ansehen to learn Excel. It’s also great for texting friends. Send a link and ask, Hast du das Video angesehen? It works in almost any digital context.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use ansehen for live events like a theater play or a concert. For those, Germans often prefer besuchen (to visit) or just sehen. Also, avoid using it for 'watching' people in real life. That can sound a bit like you’re staring. If you’re at the cinema, you usually say einen Film schauen or ins Kino gehen. Using ansehen for a big blockbuster movie feels a bit small, like you're watching it on a phone.
Cultural Background
Germany has a massive YouTube and streaming culture. However, Germans also value their privacy and 'Feierabend' (evening rest). Watching videos is the ultimate way to switch off after work. Interestingly, Northern Germans love the word gucken instead of sehen. In Berlin, you’ll hear Videos gucken much more often. In the South, like Munich, schauen is the king of verbs. Ansehen remains the safe, standard choice everywhere.
Common Variations
You will definitely hear Videos schauen or Videos gucken. These are more casual. If you want to sound very natural, add a mir. Say, Ich sehe mir ein Video an. This 'mir' (myself) makes it sound like you’re doing it for your own enjoyment. It’s a tiny word that makes a huge difference in sounding like a native speaker. Just don't let the grammar scare you off!
Usage Notes
The phrase is perfectly neutral and safe for A1 learners. Just remember that 'ansehen' is a separable and irregular verb (ich sehe, du siehst, er sieht).
Use the reflexive
Always try to use 'mir' (Ich sehe **mir** ein Video an). It makes you sound much more like a native speaker.
Separable Verb Alert
Don't forget to put 'an' at the very end of your sentence in the present tense!
Gucken vs. Schauen
If you are in Berlin, say 'gucken'. If you are in Munich, say 'schauen'. 'Ansehen' works everywhere!
YouTube Search
Search for 'Deutsch lernen Videos' to find great content to practice this phrase.
Examples
6In meiner Freizeit sehe ich gerne Videos an.
In my free time, I like to watch videos.
A very common and safe way to describe a hobby.
Ich muss mir zuerst das Erklärvideo ansehen.
I have to watch the explainer video first.
Using 'ansehen' in a professional learning context.
Du musst dir dieses Video ansehen! Es ist so lustig.
You have to watch this video! It is so funny.
The 'dir' adds a personal, casual touch.
Ich habe den ganzen Tag nur Katzenvideos angesehen.
I only watched cat videos all day long.
Self-deprecating humor about procrastination.
Du darfst heute nur ein Video ansehen.
You are only allowed to watch one video today.
Setting boundaries using the phrase.
Wir sehen uns alte Videos von unserer Hochzeit an.
We are watching old videos of our wedding.
Used for emotional, personal memories.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'ansehen' in the present tense.
Ich _______ mir heute ein Video _______.
In a main clause, 'ansehen' splits: 'sehe' is conjugated in position 2, and 'an' goes to the end.
Which sentence is correct in the perfect tense?
How do you say 'I watched a video'?
The past participle of 'ansehen' is 'angesehen'.
Match the German phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are common collocations related to media.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Was machst du gerade? B: Ich _______ _______ ein Tutorial _______.
While 'schaue' is possible, 'sehe mir an' is the most complete and standard reflexive form.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIch _______ mir heute ein Video _______.
In a main clause, 'ansehen' splits: 'sehe' is conjugated in position 2, and 'an' goes to the end.
How do you say 'I watched a video'?
The past participle of 'ansehen' is 'angesehen'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are common collocations related to media.
A: Was machst du gerade? B: Ich _______ _______ ein Tutorial _______.
While 'schaue' is possible, 'sehe mir an' is the most complete and standard reflexive form.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, 'Videos schauen' is very common and natural, especially in casual conversation.
It is neuter: {das|n} Video.
There is almost no difference in meaning. 'Anschauen' is slightly more informal and common in the South.
You can say 'Ich sehe mir einen Film an' or 'Ich schaue einen Film'.
It's not strictly required, but 'Ich sehe mir ein Video an' is more common than 'Ich sehe ein Video an'.
Yes, it changes its stem in the 2nd and 3rd person singular: du siehst an, er sieht an.
Yes, 'jemanden ansehen' means to look at someone.
No, that would mean you are watching the video file or the screen to see if it moves, not watching the content.
There isn't a perfect single word, but you can say 'Serien-Marathon machen' or 'Videos am Stück ansehen'.
Yes, all nouns in German are capitalized.
Related Phrases
Fernsehen
similarTo watch TV
Sich etwas anschauen
synonymTo look at/watch something
Beobachten
specialized formTo observe
Gucken
similarTo look/watch (informal)
Ein Video drehen
builds onTo film a video
