bestaunen
to admire
To look at something or someone with great admiration, amazement, or fascination.
EXAMPLE
Die Touristen bestaunten die beeindruckende Architektur des Doms.
The tourists admired the cathedral's impressive architecture.
bestaunen
to admire
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Meanings
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Bestaunen' (to admire) is an inseparable verb made up of the prefix 'be-' and the verb 'staunen' (to be amazed). The prefix 'be-' makes the verb transitive, so it always needs an accusative object.
EXAMPLE
Wir bestaunten das Feuerwerk am Nachthimmel.
We admired the fireworks in the night sky.
Sentence structure
The verb 'bestaunen' (to admire) is always used with an accusative object. You ask: Wen oder was bestaunst du? (Whom or what are you admiring?)
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder bestaunten den Zauberer und seine Tricks.
The children admired the magician and his tricks.
Typical collocations
People often admire things that are especially beautiful, large, or impressive. Typical objects are: a work of art, nature, a building, or a technical achievement.
EXAMPLE
Jedes Jahr bestaunen Tausende von Besuchern die alten Pyramiden.
Every year, thousands of visitors admire the ancient pyramids.
Compare with
bestaunen vs staunen
to be amazed
Staunen refers above all to a feeling of surprise or astonishment. Bestaunen directs this feeling toward a person or thing that one looks at with fascination and often admiration. Use staunen for the reaction and bestaunen for the deliberate observation of something impressive.
bestaunen
Die Besucher bestaunten das ungewöhnlich große Gemälde lange.
The visitors admired the unusually large painting for a long time.
staunen
Die Besucher staunten über das ungewöhnlich große Gemälde.
The visitors were amazed by the unusually large painting.
In real life
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