Before you start
Meet ansehen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
an- + sehen
- an-
- toward or directed at
- sehen
- to see
Direct your sight toward something and keep looking at it.
So ansehen means to look at; to watch.
A memory aid, not a rule: prefixes change meaning from verb to verb.
Learning approach inspired by this explanation in r/German.
Verb family
More verbs built on sehen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
Separable verb: an·sehen
In a main clause the prefix an splits off and goes to the end. After weil, dass and other subordinating words, the verb stays in one piece at the end.
Main clauseSie sieht den Garten an.She looks at the garden.
Subordinate clauseIch bin froh, weil du dir das Bild ansiehst.I’m glad because you’re looking at the picture.
Participle: angesehenzu-infinitive: anzusehen
Forms
How ansehen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | sehe an | sah an |
| du | siehst an | sahst an |
| er/sie/es | sieht an | sah an |
| wir | sehen an | sahen an |
| ihr | seht an | saht an |
| Sie | sehen an | sahen an |
Partizip II angesehen · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich sehe mir das Foto an.I look at the photo.prefix goes to the end
- 2Wir haben gestern den Film angesehen.We watched the film yesterday.Perfekt with haben
- 3Ich bleibe hier, weil wir uns das Haus ansehen.I’m staying here because we’re looking at the house.verb at the end after weil
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
ansehen + der Film
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Say what you look at.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I watched it last nightgestern Abend.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When she watched the filmder Film, I calledanrufen her.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
We looked at the photosdas Foto, die Fotos because they were beautifulschön.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The mander Mann who is looking at the mapdie Karte is my fatherder Vater.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She wants to look at the housedas Haus with us.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I have no timedie Zeit to look at the emaildie E-Mail now.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Have you looked at the newneu picturesdas Bild, die Bilder yet?
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 9 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
ansehen + das Foto + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause.
- 2Use a pronoun for the photo in the main clause.
- 3Use the present tense.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
What do you like to look at in your free time?
Your challenge
- 1Answer with one sentence about something you like to look at.