suchen
/ˈzuːxən/
To seek in German is suchen.
The verb means to try to find something. While it can be used in a formal or abstract sense to mean 'to seek', it is most commonly used in everyday German to mean 'to look for' something lost or needed.
Meaning: to try to find (verb)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form Suchen is the standard translation for 'to seek' in formal German. For conveying the specific idea of actively pursuing something, you may also use Anstreben.
How does it change in a sentence?
The simple past form of suchen is suchte, and the past participle is gesucht.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈzuːxən/
Did you know?
- While suchen means 'to look for', adding the prefix ver- to create versuchen completely changes the meaning to 'to attempt' or 'to try'.
- The English word 'seek' and the German suchen are distant cousins that both originate from the Proto-Indo-European root *seh₂g-, meaning 'seek out'.
- German has a specific noun, die Suche, which can refer to everything from a simple search for keys to a formal police investigation or a Google search.
Examples in context
- Er muß nicht meinen Rat suchen.He does not need to seek my advice.This sentence shows how to use suchen regarding advice.Tatoeba #13343022 by Waldelfe, translation #13003337 by Aghanim
- Sensibilisierte Verbraucher suchen Orientierung.Sensitized consumers seek orientation.This sentence shows how to use suchen regarding orientation.Tatoeba #8295365 by GuidoW, translation #8296189 by GuidoW
- Es ist Zeit, dass wir neue Herausforderungen suchen.It's time for us to seek new challenges.This sentence shows how to use suchen regarding challenges.Tatoeba #2845782 by freddy1, translation #11317263 by sundown
- Ich suche nach neuen GeschäftsmöglichkeitenI am seeking new business opportunities
- Ich strebe eine Karriere in der Wissenschaft anI am seeking a career in science
- Ich suche nach einer neuen WohnungI am seeking a new apartment
- Ich peile eine Beförderung anI am aiming for a promotion
- Er jagt seinem Traum hinterherHe is chasing after his dream
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Felix are at a library looking for a specific book.
- HannahWelches Buch suchen Sie, Herr Felix?Which book are you looking for, Mr. Felix?
- FelixIch suchen ein Buch über Geschichte.I am looking for a book about history.
- HannahSuchen Sie in dieser Abteilung hier.Look in this section here.
- FelixVielen Dank für Ihre Hilfe, Hannah.Thank you very much for your help, Hannah.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “seek” translations and entries suchen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries suchen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
