beobachten
/bəˈoːbaxtən/
In German, the phrase for watching is beobachten.
The verb beobachten means to watch or to observe. It is used when you are looking at someone or something carefully for a period of time to see what happens, often implying an analytical or investigative intent.
Which one should you use?
The choice of verb depends on the nature of the watching. Use beobachten for monitoring or observing something closely. Use ansehen for the more casual act of looking at or viewing something, such as a person or a movie. If you are watching an event or an action unfold as a spectator, use zuschauen.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some parts of Germany, the colloquial term gucken is used. In northern Germany, you may hear the synonym Kieken.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle of beobachten is beobachtet, and the simple past form for 'he/she/it observed' is beobachtete.
How do you pronounce it?
/bəˈoːbaxtən/
Did you know?
- The root of beobachten is Obacht, which is used as a standalone command meaning 'watch out' or 'pay attention' when someone is in danger.
- In some regions, the word gucken is playfully replaced by glotzen, which implies staring rudely or watching television in a mindless way.
- If you are 'watching' a person in a creepy or stalking manner, Germans might use bestalken, a modern loanword from English, because beobachten can sound too neutral.
Examples in context
- Ich werde Sie beobachten.I'll be watching you.This sentence illustrates the use of beobachten to express a future intent to watch someone.Tatoeba #1315739 by Zaghawa, translation #321960 by CK
- Tom ging Wale beobachten.Tom went whale watching.This sentence shows how to use beobachten when describing the activity of whale watching.Tatoeba #10162437 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #10161249 by CK
- Jemand könnte uns beobachten.Somebody could be watching us.This sentence demonstrates using beobachten to express the possibility of being watched.Tatoeba #7233460 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #7221607 by Hybrid
- Ich beobachte gerne Vögel im Garten.I enjoy watching birds in the garden.
- Die Sicherheitskameras beobachten den Eingangsbereich.The security cameras are watching the entrance area.
- Wir wollen uns den Film heute Abend ansehen.We want to watch the movie tonight.
- Er sieht sich gerne Sportveranstaltungen im Fernsehen an.He enjoys watching sports events on TV.
- Lass uns einen Film gucken.Let's watch a movie.
- Komm, wir schauen gemeinsam die neue Serie.Come on, let's watch the new series together.
- Ich schaue gerne Komödien im Kino.I enjoy watching comedies in the cinema.
- 25 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felix and Hannah are in a park looking at birds.
- FelixSchau mal, ich möchte diese Vögel beobachten.Look, I want to watch these birds.
- HannahWas machen sie gerade?What are they doing right now?
- FelixIch glaube, sie suchen nach Futter.I think they are looking for food.
- HannahEs ist spannend, sie so zu beobachten.It is exciting to watch them like that.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry beobachten, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries beobachten, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
