01
besuchen
to visit
To go or travel to a person in order to spend time with them.
example
Am Wochenende besuche ich meine Großeltern.
I'm visiting my grandparents on the weekend.
besuchen
to visit
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Inseparable verb
The verb 'besuchen' (to visit/attend) has the prefix 'be-' and is therefore inseparable. The prefix stays firmly attached to the verb in all sentence forms and tenses.
EXAMPLE
Er besuchte letztes Jahr einen Programmierkurs.
He attended a programming course last year.
Use with accusative
'Besuchen' (to visit/attend) is always used with an accusative object and does not need a preposition. You ask: Whom or what are you visiting/attending?
EXAMPLE
Morgen besuche ich eine interessante Ausstellung.
Tomorrow I'm visiting an interesting exhibition.
Context clue
The exact meaning of 'besuchen' (to visit/attend) can be recognized from the object. A person as the object means spending time with them. A place or event as the object means going there or taking part.
EXAMPLE
Ich besuche meinen Freund Paul.
I'm visiting my friend Paul.
Typical collocations
In the context of education and culture, 'besuchen' (to attend/visit) is often combined with institutions or events. Typical examples are: 'eine Schule besuchen' (to attend a school), 'eine Universität besuchen' (to attend a university), 'einen Kurs besuchen' (to attend a course), 'ein Museum besuchen' (to visit a museum), or 'eine Vorlesung besuchen' (to attend a lecture).
EXAMPLE
Mein Sohn besucht seit August die Grundschule.
My son has been attending elementary school since August.
Compare with
besuchen vs gehen
to go
'gehen' and 'besuchen' can both have to do with going to a person or a place. 'gehen' mainly describes the movement, or the fact that you leave one place and go to a destination. 'besuchen' describes the purpose: you go or travel to a person in order to spend time with them, or you attend a place or an event. Learners can easily confuse the words because you often go somewhere in order to visit someone. If only the movement is important, 'gehen' fits. If the contact, the stay, or the participation is important, 'besuchen' fits.
besuchen
Am Sonntag besuchen wir meine Großeltern auf dem Land.
On Sunday, we are visiting my grandparents in the countryside.
gehen
Nach der Arbeit gehe ich zu Fuß nach Hause.
After work, I walk home.
In real life
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