to view
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to view
To make a deliberate visit to something (e.g., a sight, an apartment, a museum) in order to look at it closely and inspect it.
Bevor wir die Wohnung mieten, möchten wir sie besichtigen.
Before we rent the apartment, we would like to view it.
'Besichtigen' (to view) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'be-' is firmly attached to the stem and is not separated.
Wir haben gestern den ganzen Tag die Altstadt besichtigt.
Yesterday we spent the whole day viewing the old town.
You 'besichtigt' (view) places or buildings that you want to look at closely. Typical objects are: an apartment, a house, a sight, a castle, a museum, or a factory.
Morgen besichtigen wir das Schloss Neuschwanstein.
Tomorrow we are viewing Neuschwanstein Castle.
The verb 'besichtigen' (to view) always needs an accusative object. It describes a planned and detailed inspection, not just seeing something by chance.
Haben Sie die Wohnung schon besichtigt?
Have you already viewed the apartment?
to look at / to watch
Sich einen Ort ansehen and besichtigen can both refer to visiting a place in person. Ansehen is more general here. Besichtigen emphasizes a deliberate visit during which you want to get to know or inspect the place more closely, for example as part of a guided tour.
Am Vormittag besichtigen wir das alte Schloss bei einer Führung.
In the morning, we are touring the old castle as part of a guided tour.
Auf unserem Spaziergang sehen wir uns das alte Schloss an.
On our walk, we are looking around the old castle.
