Before you start
Meet zusehen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
zu- + sehen
- zu-
- directing attention toward something
- sehen
- to see
Direct your sight and attention toward something as it happens.
So zusehen means to watch; to observe.
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: zu·sehen
In a main clause the prefix zu splits off and goes to the end. After weil, dass and other subordinating words, the verb stays in one piece at the end.
Main clauseEr sieht seinem Bruder beim Kochen zu.He watches his brother cook.
Subordinate clauseIch bleibe hier, weil ich dir zusehe.I’ll stay here because I’m watching you.
Participle: zugesehenzu-infinitive: zuzusehen
Forms
How zusehen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | sehe zu | sah zu |
| du | siehst zu | sahst zu |
| er/sie/es | sieht zu | sah zu |
| wir | sehen zu | sahen zu |
| ihr | seht zu | saht zu |
| Sie | sehen zu | sahen zu |
Partizip II zugesehen · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich sehe den Kindern beim Spielen zu.I watch the children playing.watching someone do something
- 2Wir haben gestern beim Spiel zugesehen.We watched the game yesterday.Perfekt with haben
- 3Sie lächelt, wenn sie anderen zusieht.She smiles when she watches others.verb at the end after wenn
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
zusehen + der Nachbar
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use der Nachbar as a dative object.
- 3Say what he is doing.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I watched him cookkochen in the kitchendie Küche.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When I was littleklein, I watched my fatherder Vater cookkochen.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I stayed in the roomdas Zimmer because I wanted to watch them playspielen.
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 whom I watched workarbeiten lives next doornebenan.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
You can watch me dancetanzen at the partydie Party.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She came earlyfrüh to watch the childrendas Kind, die Kinder playspielen.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Who did you watch play footballder Fußball yesterdaygestern?
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:
zusehen + obwohl + der Regen
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause.
- 2Use the simple past.
- 3Say you watched the children play.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
Who do you like watching, and what are they doing?
Your challenge
- 1Answer with one German sentence.
- 2Name someone you like watching.
- 3Say what they are doing.