to examine / investigate
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to examine
To check someone or something systematically and carefully in order to find something out, especially in a medical or scientific context.
Der Arzt muss Sie gründlich untersuchen, um die Ursache Ihrer Schmerzen zu finden.
The doctor has to examine you thoroughly to find the cause of your pain.
'Untersuchen' (to examine/investigate) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'unter-' remains firmly attached to the verb 'suchen' (to search) in all sentence forms and is not stressed. The past participle is formed without 'ge-': 'untersucht' (examined/investigated).
Der Mechaniker hat den Motor genau untersucht.
The mechanic examined the engine carefully.
The verb 'untersuchen' (to examine/investigate) always requires an accusative object. You always examine/investigate 'jemanden' (someone) or 'etwas' (something).
Die Wissenschaftler untersuchen die Auswirkungen des neuen Medikaments.
The scientists are examining the effects of the new medication.
The corresponding noun for this verb is 'die Untersuchung' (examination/investigation). Common expressions are 'eine Untersuchung durchführen' (to conduct an examination/investigation) or 'eine Untersuchung einleiten' (to launch an investigation).
Die ärztliche Untersuchung hat zum Glück nichts Schlimmes ergeben.
Fortunately, the medical examination did not reveal anything serious.
The meaning depends on the context: In the medical or scientific field, it is about an examination (doctor, laboratory). In a legal or police context, it means 'ermitteln' (to investigate) (police, crime).
Ein Experte untersucht die Echtheit des Gemäldes.
An expert is examining the authenticity of the painting.
to view
'betrachten' and 'untersuchen' can both mean that you look at something closely or deal with a matter in more detail. But 'betrachten' is less strict: you look at something attentively or think about a topic from a particular point of view. 'untersuchen' means that you examine something systematically in order to find something out. This fits especially with doctors, science, the police, or technical problems. Learners may confuse the words because both express precision. But 'untersuchen' usually has a clear goal: you are looking for a cause, an error, or facts.
Nach dem Unfall untersucht die Polizei die Ursache.
After the accident, the police investigate the cause.
Lisa betrachtet die Zeichnung und sucht nach kleinen Details.
Lisa looks at the drawing and searches for small details.