to see through / look through
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to see through
To recognize a person's true intentions or the true nature of something; to understand a deception or a complex situation. This verb is inseparable.
Sie ist so naiv, sie hat seinen Betrugsversuch nicht durchschaut.
She is so naive; she didn't see through his attempt at fraud.
to look through
To physically see or look through something. This verb is separable.
Wenn du durch das Fernglas schaust, kannst du das Schiff am Horizont erkennen.
If you look through the binoculars, you can make out the ship on the horizon.
This verb changes its meaning depending on whether it is separable. The inseparable form 'durchschauen' (to see through) has the figurative meaning 'to recognize an intention or lie'. The rare separable form 'durchschauen' (to look through) literally means 'to see through something'.
Ich habe seinen Plan sofort durchschaut.
I saw through his plan immediately.
As an inseparable verb, 'durchschauen' (to see through) always remains one whole word, even in the perfect tense. As a separable verb, the prefix 'durch' is placed at the end of the main clause.
Der Detektiv durchschaut den Trick.
The detective sees through the trick.
The inseparable form 'durchschauen' (to see through) is often used with abstract nouns that describe a deception or a complex plan. Typical phrases are: 'einen Trick durchschauen' (to see through a trick), 'eine Lüge durchschauen' (to see through a lie), or 'jemanden durchschauen' (to see through someone).
Lass dich nicht täuschen, ich habe ihre Absichten längst durchschaut.
Don't let yourself be fooled; I saw through her intentions long ago.
to recognize / realize
Here, erkennen generally means understanding a situation or seeing through a deception. durchschauen is especially appropriate when someone looks beyond what is visible and understands a hidden intention or strategy. In the case of a deceptive maneuver, durchschauen therefore places more emphasis on seeing through the plan.
Lena durchschaut den Plan hinter der freundlichen Einladung.
Lena sees through the plan behind the friendly invitation.
Lena erkennt, dass die freundliche Einladung nicht ehrlich gemeint ist.
Lena realizes that the friendly invitation isn't sincere.
