microscope
Loading your saved state.
microscope
An optical instrument that uses lenses to greatly magnify very small objects that are invisible to the naked eye.
Im Biologieunterricht haben wir Pflanzenzellen unter dem Mikroskop betrachtet.
In biology class, we looked at plant cells under the microscope.
The word is composed of the Greek parts 'mikro' (small) and 'skop' (to see, to look at). So it literally describes an instrument for seeing small things.
Mit dem neuen Mikroskop können wir noch kleinere Strukturen erkennen.
With the new microscope, we can identify even smaller structures.
When describing that you are looking at something with this instrument, you use the preposition 'unter' (under). You look 'unter dem Mikroskop' (under the microscope).
Die Biologin untersuchte die Wasserprobe unter dem Mikroskop.
The biologist examined the water sample under the microscope.
Common verbs used with 'Mikroskop' are 'betrachten' (to look at), 'untersuchen' (to examine), 'ansehen' (to look at), and 'erkennen' (to recognize/identify).
Erst unter dem Mikroskop konnte man die feinen Risse im Material erkennen.
Only under the microscope could the fine cracks in the material be identified.
magnifying glass
'Lupe' and 'Mikroskop' are both optical instruments that let you see things larger. A 'Lupe' (magnifying glass) is used for small things that are still visible, such as writing, insects, or details on a coin. A 'Mikroskop' (microscope) is much stronger and is used for very small things that you cannot see, or can hardly see, with the naked eye. Learners may confuse the words because both magnify things. The simple difference is: a magnifying glass is for everyday use and held in the hand; a microscope is more for a lab, school, or research.
Frau Demir betrachtet die Zellen unter dem Mikroskop.
Ms. Demir examines the cells under the microscope.
Sie nimmt eine Lupe, weil die Zahlen auf der Uhr sehr klein sind.
She takes a magnifying glass because the numbers on the watch are very small.