01
der Anschein
appearance
The outward impression that a person or thing gives, which does not necessarily have to match reality.
example
Der äußere Anschein kann manchmal täuschen.
Outward appearances can sometimes be deceptive.
der Anschein
appearance
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word formation
The word 'Anschein' (appearance) is related to the verb 'scheinen' (to seem/appear). It describes how something seems or appears outwardly.
EXAMPLE
Es hat den Anschein, als würde es bald regnen.
It looks as if it will rain soon.
Fixed expression
A very common expression is 'Der Anschein trügt' (appearances are deceptive). You say this when reality is different from the first impression.
EXAMPLE
Er sieht unfreundlich aus, aber der Anschein trügt, er ist sehr nett.
He looks unfriendly, but appearances are deceptive; he is very nice.
Usage pattern
The expression 'den Anschein erwecken' (to give the impression) is often followed by a subordinate clause with 'dass' (that) or a construction with 'als ob' (as if) or 'als' + subjunctive II.
EXAMPLE
Sie erweckte den Anschein, als ob sie alles wüsste.
She gave the impression that she knew everything.
Word order
The expression 'allem Anschein nach' (apparently) often stands at the beginning of the sentence in position 1. The verb then moves directly after it into position 2.
EXAMPLE
Allem Anschein nach ist niemand zu Hause.
Apparently, no one is home.
Compare with
Anschein vs offenbar
apparently / obvious
'offenbar' and 'der Anschein' both have to do with an impression that comes from visible signs. 'offenbar' usually appears as an adverb in a sentence and expresses an assumption: you see clues and think that something is the case. 'der Anschein' is a noun and refers to the outward impression itself. In fixed expressions like 'allem Anschein nach' (apparently), the meaning is very close to 'offenbar'. The words can be confused because both say that something appears to be a certain way. Grammatically, however, they work differently: you say 'offenbar ist ...' (apparently ... is ...), but 'dem Anschein nach ist ...' (judging by appearances, ... is ...) or 'etwas erweckt den Anschein' (something gives the impression).
Anschein
Der Verkäufer erweckte den Anschein, als hätte er keine Zeit für unsere Fragen.
The salesperson gave the impression that he had no time for our questions.
offenbar
Im Supermarkt hat das Kind offenbar seine Mutter verloren.
In the supermarket, the child had apparently lost his mother.
In real life
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