schauen
/ˈʃaʊ̯ən/
To watch in German is schauen.
The verb schauen means to look at someone or something for a period of time.
Which one should you use?
While schauen emphasizes the act of looking or watching, the verb sehen is more often used for the physical ability to see or the result of seeing. Additionally, gucken is a very common colloquial synonym for schauen used when watching TV or looking at something.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many German dialects, particularly in Southern Germany and Austria, schauen is used more frequently for general 'looking' than in Northern Germany.
How does it change in a sentence?
The third-person singular form of schauen is schaut. To form the perfect tense, use the past participle geschaut, as in Ich habe geschaut.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʃaʊ̯ən/
Did you know?
- The German verb schauen is a long-lost relative of the English word 'show'. While they seem different now, they both stem from the same ancient root meaning 'to look at' or 'to examine'.
- The expression schauen wir mal is a cultural staple used to avoid giving a definite 'yes' or 'no' answer to a request.
- The phrase Mal schauen! is often used as a casual way to say 'we will see' or 'let's find out', even when no physical watching is happening.
Examples in context
- Ich würde gern Fernsehen schauen.I'd like to watch TV.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to watch television using schauen.Tatoeba #1315735 by Zaghawa, translation #255117 by CK
- Schauen Sie gern Sport im Fernsehen?Do you like to watch sports on television?This sentence is useful for asking if someone enjoys watching sports on television using schauen.Tatoeba #689646 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #682374 by Source_VOA
- Willst du dieses Fernsehprogramm schauen?Do you want to watch this TV programme?This sentence is useful for asking if someone wants to watch a specific TV programme using schauen.Tatoeba #11810306 by Naina, translation #6404930 by Lemmih
- Ich schaue mir gerne Filme anI enjoy watching movies.
- Betrachten Sie bitte dieses GemäldePlease observe this painting.
- Die Polizei beobachtet den VerdächtigenThe police are watching the suspect.
- Wir möchten uns einen Film ansehenWe would like to watch a movie.
- Ich gucke gerne fernI like to watch TV.
- Komm, wir schauen einen FilmCome, let's watch a movie.
- Er glotzt den ganzen Tag NetflixHe watches Netflix all day.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Lukas are at a park watching people pass by.
- HannahLukas, schau mal dort drüben!Lukas, look over there!
- LukasWas gibt es denn zu schauen?What is there to watch?
- HannahIch möchte die Hunde schauen.I want to watch the dogs.
- LukasJa, die sind wirklich süß.Yes, they are really cute.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry schauen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries schauen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
