01
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
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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' both have to do with looking at something. 'ansehen' simply means that you direct your gaze at a person or thing. It can also last longer or be more careful, but that is not always important. 'hinsehen' puts more emphasis on direction and deliberate attention: you look closely at a specific place or person. Learners may confuse the words because both often have to do with the eyes. If you only mean that someone is looking at something, 'ansehen' fits. If you mean deliberately not looking away or looking closely at a specific spot, 'hinsehen' fits better.
hinsehen
Bitte sieh genau hin, dann erkennst du den kleinen Fehler im Text.
Please look closely, and then you'll spot the small mistake in the text.
ansehen
Lisa sieht sich das Foto lange an, weil sie die Person darauf kennt.
Lisa looks at the photo for a long time because she knows the person in it.
In real life
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