01
betrachten
to look at
To look at or observe something or someone attentively and closely.
example
Sie betrachtete das Kunstwerk im Museum für eine lange Zeit.
She looked at the artwork in the museum for a long time.
betrachten
to view
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Betrachten' (to view/look at/consider) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'be-' remains firmly attached to the verb stem 'trachten' in all tenses and sentence constructions.
EXAMPLE
Er betrachtet die Sterne durch sein Teleskop.
He observes the stars through his telescope.
Register
The verb 'betrachten' belongs more to written language or a more formal style. It often sounds more refined and reflective.
EXAMPLE
Wir müssen das Problem aus verschiedenen Perspektiven betrachten.
We have to consider the problem from different perspectives.
Sentence structure with 'als'
In the meaning 'für etwas halten' (to consider something to be something), 'betrachten' is always used with the preposition 'als'. The structure is: accusative object + 'als' + description in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Sie betrachtet diese Reise als eine große Chance.
She regards this trip as a great opportunity.
Context clue
When it is about thinking through a topic, 'betrachten' is often combined with abstract nouns such as 'Situation' (situation), 'Problem' (problem), or 'Frage' (question), and adverbs such as 'genauer' (more closely) or 'objektiv' (objectively).
EXAMPLE
Man muss die ganze Situation betrachten, nicht nur einen Teil.
You have to consider the whole situation, not just one part.
Reflexive use
The reflexive form 'sich betrachten' (to look at oneself) means to look at one's own reflection or a photo of oneself. The reflexive pronoun is in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Sie betrachtete sich kritisch im Spiegel, bevor sie aus dem Haus ging.
She looked at herself critically in the mirror before leaving the house.
Compare with
betrachten vs sehen
to see
'sehen' and 'betrachten' can both mean perceiving something with the eyes. However, 'sehen' is much more general and can also happen very briefly or by chance. 'betrachten' usually means looking at something attentively and more closely, for example a picture, a building, or a person in the mirror. In a figurative sense, both can also express an assessment, such as 'etwas als Problem sehen' or 'etwas als Problem betrachten' (to see/regard something as a problem). 'betrachten' often sounds a bit calmer, more precise, or more objective. Learners confuse the words because both have to do with looking at something and assessing it. In everyday language, 'sehen' is often more natural; 'betrachten' fits when you take time or think more carefully.
betrachten
Im Museum betrachtet er das alte Foto lange und ganz ruhig.
In the museum, he looks at the old photo for a long time, very calmly.
sehen
Heute Morgen sehe ich auf dem Bildschirm eine neue Nachricht.
This morning I see a new message on the screen.
In real life
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