hinsehen
to look
To deliberately direct one's gaze at a specific place, person, or object.
EXAMPLE
Sieh mal genau hin, dann erkennst du den kleinen Vogel im Nest.
Look closely, and then you'll recognize the little bird in the nest.
hinsehen
to look
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Meanings
hinsehen
to look closely
To consciously confront an unpleasant or difficult fact and not ignore it.
EXAMPLE
Bei sozialer Ungerechtigkeit dürfen wir nicht wegsehen, sondern müssen genau hinsehen.
When it comes to social injustice, we must not look away; we have to look closely.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Hinsehen' (to look) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'hin' comes at the end. In a subordinate clause and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Sieh doch mal genau hin!
Just look closely!
Meaning of the prefix
The prefix 'hin-' describes a movement or direction away from the speaker toward a specific goal. 'Hinsehen' (to look) therefore means to direct one's gaze at something specific.
EXAMPLE
Schau nicht weg, sieh einfach hin!
Don't look away; just look!
Typical adverbs
In the literal meaning, 'hinsehen' (to look) is often combined with adverbs such as 'genau' (closely), 'richtig' (properly), or 'näher' (more closely) to strengthen the intensity of the gaze.
EXAMPLE
Wenn du näher hinsiehst, kannst du die Details erkennen.
If you look more closely, you can recognize the details.
Figurative meaning
The figurative meaning is often used in the context of social or moral problems. 'Hinsehen' (to look closely) here means not to ignore a problem, but to engage with it. The opposite is 'wegsehen' (to look away).
EXAMPLE
Bei Gewalt müssen wir hinsehen und nicht einfach weitergehen.
When there is violence, we have to look closely and not simply keep walking.
Compare with
hinsehen vs ansehen
to look at / to watch
“Ansehen” and “hinsehen” can both express deliberately looking at something. With “ansehen”, the specific object in the accusative is the focus, while with “hinsehen”, the focus is more on the direction in which you direct your gaze. So name the thing with “ansehen” and the place or direction with “hinsehen”.
hinsehen
Bitte sehen Sie bei dem roten Schalter genau hin.
Please look closely at the red switch.
ansehen
Bitte sehen Sie sich den beschädigten Schalter genau an.
Please take a close look at the damaged switch.
In real life
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