to see through / to look through
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to see through
To understand and grasp a complex situation, a plan, or a person's intentions. You recognize what something is really like. (Verb is inseparable)
Ich habe seine Lügen und Ausreden sofort durchblickt.
I immediately saw through his lies and excuses.
This verb changes its meaning depending on whether it is separable or inseparable. Inseparable, it means 'etwas verstehen' (to understand something) in a figurative sense. Separable, it means 'durch etwas hindurchsehen' (to look through something) in a literal sense.
Ich durchschaue seinen Plan sofort. (untrennbar = verstehen)
I see through his plan immediately. (inseparable = understand)
The stress helps distinguish the meanings. In the separable, literal meaning, the prefix is stressed: 'DURCHblicken'. In the inseparable, figurative meaning, the verb stem is stressed: 'durchBLICKEN'.
Kannst du da durchblicken? (Betonung auf „durch“)
Can you see through there? (stress on 'durch')
In the inseparable meaning 'verstehen' (to understand), the verb is used with abstract nouns in the accusative. Typical objects are 'den Plan' (the plan), 'die Situation' (the situation), 'das System' (the system), or 'seine Absichten' (his intentions).
Nach einer Weile habe ich das System durchblickt.
After a while, I saw through the system.
In the literal meaning, the verb is separable. In a main clause, the prefix 'durch' goes at the end of the sentence. It is often combined with a prepositional phrase such as 'durch etwas (hindurch)' (through something).
Er blickte neugierig durch das Schlüsselloch durch.
He looked curiously through the keyhole.
The expression 'etwas durchblicken lassen' (to let something show / to let on) is a fixed structure. It means that someone hints at information or a feeling. The person hinting at something is the subject of the sentence.
Sie ließ durchblicken, dass sie mit der Entscheidung nicht einverstanden war.
She let on that she did not agree with the decision.
to understand
'verstehen' and 'durchblicken' are similar when it comes to understanding something. 'verstehen' is general and can refer to almost anything. 'durchblicken' is used more for unclear, complicated, or confusing situations. It means that you recognize how something really fits together or what someone is planning. So you can understand a single rule, but only later 'durchblicken' with a complicated plan. 'Durchblicken' sounds somewhat more colloquial and fits especially well when there was confusion beforehand.
Bei den vielen Änderungen blickt ihr erst nach einer Stunde richtig durch.
With all the many changes, you only really figure it out after an hour.
Er versteht den neuen Fahrplan nach kurzer Zeit.
He understands the new timetable after a short time.