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Vocabulary
sich ansehen

A2 verb #2,000 most common 8 min read

sich ansehen

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips sich ansehen in 30 Seconds

Explanation sich ansehen in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'sich ansehen' is introduced as a way to talk about basic activities like watching TV or looking at photos. Learners focus on the present tense and the idea that 'an' goes to the end. The reflexive pronoun 'mir' is often taught as a fixed part of phrases like 'Ich sehe mir das an'. Vocabulary is limited to simple objects: 'das Foto', 'das Buch', 'der Film'. The goal is to understand that this verb is more active than just 'sehen'. You are not just seeing something; you are choosing to look at it. Simple imperatives like 'Sieh mal!' or 'Guck mal!' are also common at this stage, though 'sich ansehen' is the more formal version they will encounter in textbooks. Learners should practice the basic word order: Subject + Verb + Reflexive Pronoun + Object + 'an'. For example: 'Ich sehe mir die Bilder an.' This level also introduces the vowel change in 'du siehst' and 'er sieht', which is a common stumbling block for beginners.

At the A2 level, learners expand their use of 'sich ansehen' to include the perfect tense ('hat angesehen') and modal verbs. They begin to use it in a wider variety of contexts, such as visiting sights ('sich die Stadt ansehen') or checking things ('sich die Hausaufgaben ansehen'). The distinction between 'jemanden ansehen' (looking at someone) and 'sich etwas ansehen' (looking at something for oneself) becomes more important. Learners are expected to handle the dative reflexive pronouns more consistently (mir, dir, uns, euch). They also start to recognize the verb in more complex sentences with time expressions, such as 'Ich habe mir gestern Abend einen langen Film angesehen.' This level emphasizes the communicative aspect—asking friends if they've seen a certain movie or inviting someone to look at something together. The concept of separable verbs is reinforced through this high-frequency word.

By B1, students should be comfortable using 'sich ansehen' in all tenses, including the Präteritum (though it's less common in speech) and the subjunctive (Konjunktiv II) for polite requests: 'Könntest du dir das bitte mal ansehen?' The verb is now used for more abstract 'looking', such as reviewing a proposal, examining a problem, or considering an option. Learners understand the nuance that 'sich ansehen' implies a certain amount of time and effort spent. They can also distinguish it from synonyms like 'besichtigen' (for buildings) or 'betrachten' (for art). B1 learners use 'sich ansehen' in professional contexts, such as looking at a CV or a contract. They also start to use the adjective 'angesehen' (respected), which is derived from the past participle. Sentence structures become more varied, including subordinate clauses where the prefix 'an' remains attached to the verb at the end of the clause.

At the B2 level, 'sich ansehen' is used with more sophisticated vocabulary and in more nuanced ways. It often appears in discussions about media consumption, critical analysis of documents, or professional evaluations. Learners are expected to use the verb naturally in complex sentences, such as 'Bevor wir eine Entscheidung treffen, müssen wir uns die Gesamtsituation noch einmal ganz genau ansehen.' The focus shifts to the quality of the 'looking'—using adverbs like 'gründlich' (thoroughly), 'oberflächlich' (superficially), or 'kritisch' (critically). B2 students also explore the idiomatic uses and the noun 'Ansehen' (reputation/prestige). They understand that 'sich ansehen' can imply a mental process of evaluation, not just a physical act of sight. The distinction between 'ansehen' and 'anschauen' (regional/stylistic) is fully understood, and the learner can adapt their register accordingly.

At the C1 level, 'sich ansehen' is a tool for precise expression. The learner uses it to describe the scrutiny of data, the analysis of social phenomena, or the deep contemplation of philosophical ideas. The reflexive dative is second nature. C1 learners might use the verb in academic or high-level professional settings: 'Wenn man sich die demografische Entwicklung ansieht, erkennt man deutliche Trends.' They are also aware of the subtle differences between 'sich ansehen' and more specialized verbs like 'evaluieren', 'analysieren', or 'inspizieren', choosing 'sich ansehen' when they want to sound more natural or less clinical while still implying a thorough review. They can also handle complex grammatical structures involving the verb, such as 'Es lohnt sich, sich die Details genau anzusehen.' The metaphorical use of 'looking at' a problem or a situation is common in their spoken and written production.

For C2 learners, 'sich ansehen' is used with complete stylistic flexibility. They can use it in highly formal speeches, literary analysis, or rapid-fire colloquial debate. They understand the historical etymology and how the verb relates to 'Ansehen' (prestige) and 'Angesicht' (face/countenance). A C2 speaker might use the verb to express irony or subtle judgment: 'Das muss man sich erst mal ansehen!' (You have to see it to believe it!). They are masters of the nuances of prefix verbs and can effortlessly switch between 'ansehen', 'zusehen', 'durchsehen', and 'übersehen'. In writing, they use 'sich ansehen' to introduce complex arguments or to invite the reader to examine a specific piece of evidence. The verb is no longer a 'vocabulary item' but a versatile instrument for directing attention and framing perspectives in sophisticated discourse.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

sich ansehen in 30 Seconds

Sich ansehen is a reflexive separable verb used for intentional watching or inspecting objects, media, or documents.
It requires a dative reflexive pronoun (mir, dir, sich) when used with a direct accusative object.
The prefix 'an-' separates in the present and past tenses, moving to the very end of the sentence.
Commonly used for sightseeing, watching TV, reviewing work, or examining a physical object or person.

The German verb sich ansehen is a cornerstone of daily communication, representing the intentional act of looking at, watching, or inspecting something. Unlike the simple verb 'sehen' (to see), which can be passive or accidental, 'sich ansehen' implies a level of focus and duration. When you 'see' a bird fly by, you use 'sehen'. When you sit down to 'watch' a movie or 'examine' a contract, you use 'sich ansehen'. This verb is reflexive, typically requiring a dative reflexive pronoun when a direct object is present, which adds a layer of personal involvement to the action.

Intentionality: The prefix 'an-' indicates direction and focus, suggesting that the gaze is directed *at* a specific target for a purpose.

Ich muss mir diesen Bericht noch einmal genau ansehen.

In a broader sense, 'sich ansehen' can also mean to 'check out' or 'visit' a place. If you are a tourist in Berlin, you might 'look at' the Brandenburg Gate. This isn't just a glance; it's the act of sightseeing. The reflexive nature (using 'mir', 'dir', 'sich', etc.) emphasizes that the subject is performing the action for their own benefit or experience. It is one of the most versatile verbs for visual engagement in the German language.

Visual Inspection: It is frequently used in professional contexts to mean 'to review' or 'to audit' documents or plans.

Wir haben uns gestern einen neuen Film angesehen.

Furthermore, the verb can be used to describe looking at a person. If you say 'Er sieht mich an', it means he is looking at you. However, if you use the reflexive form 'Er sieht sich das Foto an', it means he is looking at the photo. The distinction between 'jemanden ansehen' (accusative person) and 'sich etwas ansehen' (dative reflexive + accusative object) is a key grammatical hurdle for learners but essential for fluency.

Social Context: In social settings, it can imply judging or evaluating someone's appearance or behavior.

Sie sieht sich im Spiegel an.

Darf ich mir deine Zeichnung ansehen?

Using sich ansehen correctly requires an understanding of three main components: the separable prefix, the reflexive pronoun, and the case system. As a separable verb, the 'an-' moves to the end of the sentence in simple present and simple past tenses. For example, 'Ich sehe mir das Video an.' In the perfect tense, it becomes 'angesehen'.

Reflexive Pronouns: When you are looking at an object, use the dative: mir, dir, sich, uns, euch, sich. 'Ich sehe mir (Dative) den Film (Accusative) an.'

Du solltest dir die Zähne im Spiegel ansehen.

The verb is also used without the dative reflexive pronoun when you are simply looking at a person. In this case, the person is the direct object (accusative). 'Ich sehe dich an' (I am looking at you). However, if you are looking at a *part* of that person or an object they possess, you revert to the dative reflexive: 'Ich sehe mir dein neues Auto an.'

Tense Formation: Present: Ich sehe an. Perfect: Ich habe angesehen. Präteritum: Ich sah an.

Wir sahen uns die Ruinen stundenlang an.

Commonly, 'sich ansehen' is used with modal verbs. When a modal verb like 'wollen' or 'müssen' is used, 'ansehen' goes to the end in its infinitive form. 'Ich will mir das Spiel ansehen.' This is the most frequent way you will encounter the verb in spoken German, especially when planning activities or expressing desires.

Imperative Use: 'Sieh dir das an!' (Look at that!) is a very common exclamation to draw someone's attention to something interesting.

Könnten Sie sich bitte meine Unterlagen ansehen?

Habt ihr euch die neue Ausstellung schon angesehen?

You will encounter sich ansehen in almost every facet of German life. In a domestic setting, family members often ask each other to 'look at' something—a drawing from school, a broken appliance, or a funny video on a smartphone. It is the default verb for consuming media like television shows, movies, and YouTube videos.

In the Office: Colleagues will say, 'Ich sehe mir die E-Mail später an' (I'll look at the email later), implying a review or consideration of the content.

Der Chef will sich die Verkaufszahlen ansehen.

In tourism and culture, museum guides and travel brochures will constantly use this verb. 'Sehen Sie sich die Gemälde von Dürer an' (Look at the paintings by Dürer). It suggests a contemplative, appreciative gaze. Similarly, when shopping, a customer might say, 'Ich möchte mir die Schuhe dort im Schaufenster mal ansehen' (I'd like to take a look at those shoes in the window).

Medical Context: A doctor might say, 'Ich muss mir Ihren Hals ansehen' (I need to look at your throat), indicating a physical examination.

Wollen wir uns heute Abend einen Krimi ansehen?

News anchors also use it when introducing segments: 'Sehen wir uns die Wettervorhersage an' (Let's look at the weather forecast). It acts as a transition to a visual element. In education, teachers use it to direct students' attention to specific parts of a text or a diagram on the board.

Real Estate: When viewing an apartment, the process is called a 'Besichtigung', but the action is 'sich die Wohnung ansehen'.

Ich habe mir die Wohnung gestern angesehen, aber sie war zu klein.

The most frequent mistake learners make with sich ansehen is forgetting the reflexive pronoun entirely or using the wrong case for it. Many students say 'Ich sehe den Film an' instead of 'Ich sehe mir den Film an'. While the former is sometimes heard in very casual speech, the reflexive version is the standard and more natural way to express watching something for pleasure or purpose.

Reflexive Confusion: Confusing 'mich' (accusative) with 'mir' (dative). Remember: if there is an object like 'den Film', the pronoun must be dative 'mir'.

Wrong: Ich sehe mich den Film an.
Right: Ich sehe mir den Film an.

Another common error is the placement of the prefix 'an'. Because it is a separable verb, the 'an' must go to the very end of the main clause. Learners often leave it attached to the verb, especially if the sentence is long. 'Ich sehe an den interessanten Film' is incorrect; it must be 'Ich sehe mir den interessanten Film an'.

Vowel Gradation: Forgetting the e-to-ie change in the second and third person singular: 'Du siehst' and 'Er sieht'.

Er sieht sich (not sieht) die Dokumentation an.

Finally, learners often confuse 'sich ansehen' with 'ansehen' (without 'sich'). If you say 'Ich sehe ihn an', it means 'I am looking at him'. If you say 'Ich sehe mir ihn an', it sounds like you are inspecting him like an object or a specimen. Using the reflexive 'mir' with a person as the object changes the nuance significantly.

Word Order in Perfect Tense: Mistaking 'gesehen an' for 'angesehen'. The 'ge-' always goes between the prefix and the root: an-ge-sehen.

Wir haben uns das Haus angesehen.

German has several verbs for 'looking' and 'watching', and choosing the right one depends on the context and regional dialect. Sich ansehen is the most standard and versatile, but you will frequently encounter synonyms like 'schauen', 'gucken', and 'betrachten'.

Sich ansehen vs. Gucken: 'Gucken' is extremely common in Northern and Central Germany but is considered colloquial. 'Sich ansehen' is preferred in writing and formal speech.

Ich gucke mal (informal) vs. Ich sehe mir das mal an (standard).

'Betrachten' is another similar verb, but it is much more formal and implies a deep, aesthetic, or analytical observation. You 'betrachten' a work of art in a gallery to find its deeper meaning, whereas you 'sehen sich' a movie for entertainment. 'Beobachten' means to observe over time, like watching a bird's behavior or a suspect's movements.

Sich ansehen vs. Schauen: 'Schauen' is the preferred term in Southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. 'Sich etwas anschauen' is the direct regional equivalent of 'sich etwas ansehen'.

Er betrachtet das Problem von allen Seiten.

Lastly, 'besichtigen' is used specifically for places, buildings, or cities. You 'besichtigen' a museum or a castle. While you can use 'sich ansehen' for these as well, 'besichtigen' sounds more like an official tour or a formal visit. 'Prüfen' or 'untersuchen' might be used if the 'looking at' is actually a technical inspection or a medical check-up.

Sich ansehen vs. Beobachten: 'Beobachten' implies watching something that is moving or changing (like people-watching or a scientific experiment).

Wir besichtigen morgen das Schloss Neuschwanstein.

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Separable prefixes

Dative reflexive pronouns

Accusative objects

Vowel-changing verbs

Word order in subordinate clauses

Examples by Level

Ich sehe mir das Foto an.

I am looking at the photo.

Present tense, reflexive dative 'mir'.

Siehst du dir den Film an?

Are you watching the movie?

Question form, vowel change 'e' to 'ie'.

Er sieht sich die Bilder an.

He is looking at the pictures.

3rd person singular reflexive 'sich'.

Wir sehen uns das Haus an.

We are looking at the house.

1st person plural reflexive 'uns'.

Seht euch das mal an!

Look at that!

Imperative plural 'euch'.

Ich sehe mir ein Buch an.

I am looking at a book.

Indefinite article 'ein' in accusative.

Sie sieht sich die Blumen an.

She is looking at the flowers.

Plural object 'die Blumen'.

Sehen Sie sich das an?

Are you (formal) looking at that?

Formal address 'Sie'.

Ich habe mir den Film gestern angesehen.

I watched the movie yesterday.

Perfect tense with 'haben' and 'angesehen'.

Wir wollen uns die Stadt ansehen.

We want to see the city.

Modal verb 'wollen' + infinitive at the end.

Kannst du dir bitte meine Hausaufgaben ansehen?

Can you please look at my homework?

Modal verb 'können' in a polite request.

Er hat sich die neuen Schuhe im Laden angesehen.

He looked at the new shoes in the shop.

Perfect tense, reflexive 'sich'.

Morgen sehen wir uns das Museum an.

Tomorrow we are going to see the museum.

Future meaning using present tense.

Ich muss mir das Video noch einmal ansehen.

I have to watch the video again.

Modal verb 'müssen'.

Hast du dir die E-Mail schon angesehen?

Have you already looked at the email?

Perfect tense question.

Sie sahen sich die alten Fotos stundenlang an.

They looked at the old photos for hours.

Präteritum (simple past) 'sahen...an'.

Ich werde mir das Angebot genau ansehen.

I will look at the offer closely.

Future tense 'werden' + infinitive.

Wenn ich Zeit habe, sehe ich mir das Dokument an.

If I have time, I'll look at the document.

Conditional clause (Nebensatz).

Er sieht sich das Problem von allen Seiten an.

He is looking at the problem from all sides.

Metaphorical use for 'examining'.

Wir sollten uns die Kosten für das Projekt ansehen.

We should look at the costs for the project.

Subjunctive II 'sollten' for recommendation.

Sie hat sich im Spiegel angesehen und gelächelt.

She looked at herself in the mirror and smiled.

Reflexive 'sich' referring back to the subject.

Bevor du kaufst, solltest du dir die Bewertungen ansehen.

Before you buy, you should look at the reviews.

Subordinate clause with 'bevor'.

Ich habe mir die Wohnung angesehen, aber sie gefällt mir nicht.

I looked at the apartment, but I don't like it.

Perfect tense + contrastive clause.

Sehen Sie sich bitte die Grafik auf Seite 5 an.

Please look at the graphic on page 5.

Formal imperative with 'bitte'.

Wir müssen uns die Konsequenzen dieser Entscheidung ansehen.

We must look at the consequences of this decision.

Abstract object 'Konsequenzen'.

Der Arzt sah sich die Wunde sehr gründlich an.

The doctor examined the wound very thoroughly.

Präteritum with adverb 'gründlich'.

Ich sehe mir das Ganze erst mal in Ruhe an.

I'll take a look at the whole thing in peace first.

Colloquial 'das Ganze' (the whole thing).

Hast du dir überlegt, welche Uni du dir ansehen willst?

Have you thought about which university you want to look at?

Embedded question with 'welche'.

Man muss sich die Fakten ansehen, um die Lage zu verstehen.

One must look at the facts to understand the situation.

Impersonal 'man' + infinitive clause.

Sie sah ihn prüfend an, bevor sie antwortete.

She looked at him searchingly before she answered.

Direct accusative 'ihn' (no 'sich').

Ich habe mir die Freiheit genommen, mir Ihre Akte anzusehen.

I took the liberty of looking at your file.

Infinitive with 'zu' (anzusehen).

Sehen wir uns doch mal die Vorteile dieser Methode an.

Let's take a look at the advantages of this method.

Adhortative 'Sehen wir uns... an'.

Wenn man sich die Statistik ansieht, wird das Ausmaß deutlich.

When looking at the statistics, the extent becomes clear.

Subordinate clause with 'wenn'.

Es ist ratsam, sich die Vertragsbedingungen im Detail anzusehen.

It is advisable to look at the contract terms in detail.

Adjective 'ratsam' + 'zu'-infinitive.

Ich sehe mir die Entwicklung der Aktienkurse täglich an.

I look at the development of stock prices daily.

Habitual action in present tense.

Man sollte sich nicht nur die Oberfläche ansehen.

One should not only look at the surface.

Metaphorical/philosophical context.

Der Gutachter wird sich den Schaden vor Ort ansehen.

The expert will look at the damage on-site.

Professional terminology 'Gutachter', 'vor Ort'.

Sie sah sich gezwungen, sich die Beweise nochmals anzusehen.

She felt forced to look at the evidence once more.

Double reflexive/complex structure.

Sehen wir uns die Sache einmal von einem anderen Standpunkt aus an.

Let's look at the matter from a different point of view.

Prepositional phrase 'von... aus'.

Er hat sich ein beachtliches Wissen durch das Ansehen von Dokumentationen angeeignet.

He acquired considerable knowledge by watching documentaries.

Nominalized verb 'das Ansehen'.

Bei näherem Ansehen offenbaren sich die feinen Nuancen des Werks.

Upon closer inspection, the fine nuances of the work reveal themselves.

Dative nominalization 'bei... Ansehen'.

Man muss sich die historische Bedingtheit dieser Texte ansehen.

One must look at the historical conditionality of these texts.

Academic terminology 'Bedingtheit'.

Ich sehe mir das Spektakel mit einer gewissen Skepsis an.

I watch the spectacle with a certain degree of skepticism.

Nuanced emotional state 'Skepsis'.

Es gilt, sich die strukturellen Defizite des Systems anzusehen.

It is necessary to look at the structural deficits of the system.

Formal 'Es gilt...' construction.

Wer sich die Mühe macht, sich die Quellen anzusehen, wird fündig.

Whoever takes the trouble to look at the sources will find what they seek.

Relative clause + infinitive clause.

Sie sah sich im Glanze ihres Erfolges an.

She looked at herself in the glow of her success.

Literary/metaphorical usage.

Sehen wir uns die Implikationen dieser Theorie für die Praxis an.

Let's look at the implications of this theory for practice.

High-level academic discourse.

Man kann sich die Augen wund sehen, aber man wird nichts finden.

You can look until your eyes are sore, but you won't find anything.

Idiomatic 'sich die Augen wund sehen'.

Common Collocations

einen Film ansehen

ein Foto ansehen

sich die Stadt ansehen

sich ein Dokument ansehen

sich im Spiegel ansehen

sich die Details ansehen

sich die Welt ansehen

sich die Nachrichten ansehen

sich die Zähne ansehen

sich die Unterlagen ansehen

Common Phrases

Darf ich mir das mal ansehen?

Sieh dir das an!

Ich sehe mir das später an.

Hast du dir das Video angesehen?

Wir müssen uns das genau ansehen.

Das kann man sich nicht ansehen!

Ich will mir die Wohnung ansehen.

Sehen wir uns die Fakten an.

Sich die Beine ansehen (medical).

Sich die Gegend ansehen.

Often Confused With

sich ansehen vs sehen (to see - passive)

sich ansehen vs ansehen (to look at someone - accusative, no 'sich')

sich ansehen vs zusehen (to watch an ongoing action/process)

Idioms & Expressions

"Sich die Radieschen von unten ansehen (to be dead/pushing up daisies)"

"Sich etwas ansehen müssen (to be forced to witness something unpleasant)"

"Das muss man sich erst mal ansehen! (expressing disbelief or amazement)"

"Sich die Augen aus dem Kopf ansehen (to look very intensely)"

"Sich jemanden/etwas nicht mehr ansehen können (to be unable to stand the sight of someone/something)"

"Sich die Welt ansehen (to travel/see the world)"

"Sich etwas genauer ansehen (to scrutinize)"

"Sich im Spiegel ansehen können (to have a clear conscience)"

"Sich die Finger ansehen (to wait idly)"

"Sich die Karten ansehen (to check one's options/hand)"

Easily Confused

sich ansehen vs

Sentence Patterns

How to Use It

nuance

'Sich ansehen' is more formal than 'gucken' but less formal than 'betrachten'.

regional variation

In Austria and Switzerland, 'anschauen' is almost exclusively used instead of 'ansehen'.

Common Mistakes

Missing the dative reflexive pronoun.
Using accusative 'mich' instead of dative 'mir'.
Incorrect perfect tense formation and word order.
Forgetting the vowel change from 'e' to 'ie'.
Separable prefix 'an' must go to the end.

Tips

The Dative Rule

Always use 'mir' or 'dir' when you are looking at a specific thing. This is the most common mistake for English speakers who want to say 'Ich sehe den Film'.

Natural Flow

In conversation, use 'mal' to sound more natural: 'Ich seh' mir das mal an.' It softens the statement and makes it sound less like a formal inspection.

Beyond Seeing

Remember that 'sich ansehen' can mean 'to review'. Use it at work when you want to say you'll check a document: 'Ich sehe mir das Dokument bis morgen an.'

Sightseeing

When traveling in Germany, use 'sich ansehen' for everything from museums to parks. It's the universal verb for 'checking out' the sights.

Prefix Placement

In long sentences, don't forget the 'an' at the very end. 'Ich sehe mir heute mit meinen Freunden im neuen Kino den Film an.'

Vowel Change

Listen for the 'ie' in 'sieht'. If you hear 'seht', it's either plural (ihr) or the speaker is making a mistake.

Perfect Tense

For exams, remember the spelling of 'angesehen'. There is no 'ge' at the beginning; it's tucked between 'an' and 'sehen'.

Politeness

Use the subjunctive 'würde' or 'könnte' with 'sich ansehen' to ask for a favor: 'Könntest du dir das bitte mal ansehen?'

Medical Use

If a doctor says 'Ich sehe mir das mal an', they are about to examine you. It's a standard professional phrase.

Formal vs Informal

While 'gucken' is fine with friends, always use 'sich ansehen' in emails to your boss or in school essays.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'AN-sehen' as 'Aiming' your 'Sight' AT something.

Word Origin

From Middle High German 'ansehen', composed of the prefix 'an-' (at/to) and the verb 'sehen' (to see).

Cultural Context

In the south, you will hear 'anschauen' much more often than 'ansehen'.

When someone shows you something, it is polite to say 'Darf ich mir das mal ansehen?' before touching or looking closely.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"Hast du dir den neuen Film von Christopher Nolan schon angesehen?"

"Wollen wir uns am Wochenende die neue Ausstellung im Museum ansehen?"

"Kannst du dir mal dieses Foto ansehen? Wer ist das?"

"Hast du dir schon angesehen, wie das Wetter morgen wird?"

"Darf ich mir mal dein neues Handy ansehen?"

Journal Prompts

Beschreibe einen Film, den du dir vor kurzem angesehen hast.

Welche Sehenswürdigkeiten in deiner Stadt sollte man sich unbedingt ansehen?

Siehst du dir lieber Dokumentationen oder Spielfilme an? Warum?

Was war das Interessanteste, das du dir heute angesehen hast?

Warum ist es wichtig, sich Verträge genau anzusehen?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is 'mir' (dative). When there is a direct object like 'den Film' (accusative), the reflexive pronoun must be in the dative case. If you were looking at yourself in the mirror without an object, you would say 'Ich sehe mich an' (accusative), but even then 'Ich sehe mir mein Gesicht an' (dative) is more common.

'Sehen' is the general ability to see or a passive perception (e.g., 'Ich sehe einen Baum'). 'Ansehen' is an intentional act of looking at something specific for a period of time (e.g., 'Ich sehe mir den Baum genau an'). It implies focus and purpose.

Yes. 'Ich sehe dich an' means 'I am looking at you'. Note that in this case, you usually don't use the reflexive 'sich'. If you say 'Ich sehe mir dich an', it sounds like you are examining the person like an object, which can be rude or clinical.

Yes, it is a separable verb. In the present tense, the 'an' moves to the end: 'Ich sehe mir das an'. In the perfect tense, it becomes 'angesehen'. In subordinate clauses, it stays together: '...weil ich mir das ansehe'.

'Anschauen' and 'ansehen' are synonyms. 'Anschauen' is more common in Southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, while 'ansehen' is more standard in Northern and Central Germany and in formal writing.

You can say 'fernsehen' (general activity) or 'sich eine Sendung ansehen' (watching a specific show). 'Ich sehe mir die Nachrichten an' is very common.

It means 'respected', 'prestigious', or 'well-regarded'. For example, 'ein angesehener Professor' is a respected professor. It comes from the idea that many people 'look up' to or 'look at' this person with respect.

Yes, in the context of sightseeing. 'Wir haben uns Berlin angesehen' means you visited the sights of Berlin. It's similar to 'besichtigen' but slightly more general.

For 'du', it is 'Sieh dir das an!'. For 'ihr', it is 'Seht euch das an!'. For formal 'Sie', it is 'Sehen Sie sich das an!'. Note the vowel change only happens in the 'du' form.

Yes, 'sich ansehen' always uses 'haben' as its auxiliary verb: 'Ich habe mir das angesehen'.