How do you say "To look at something" in German?

"To look at something" in German is "Sich etwas anschauen". This phrase is commonly used in Germany.

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How to Say ‘To look at something’ in German

Q: What does "Sich etwas anschauen" mean in English?

"Sich etwas anschauen" means "To look at something" in English. Usage tip: Very useful pattern: sich etwas anschauen = to take a look at something. Example: 'Der Handwerker schaut sich die Heizung an.'

Sich etwas anschauen

zikh ET-vahs AHN-show-uhn

[zikh ET-vahs AHN-show-uhn]

💬 Usage Tip: Very useful pattern: sich etwas anschauen = to take a look at something. Example: 'Der Handwerker schaut sich die Heizung an.'

🇩🇪 In Germany: This is a great phrase for apartment problems—heating, hot water, windows, leaks. It sounds more polite and less blunt than just 'prüfen' or 'kontrollieren.'

Phrase Breakdown

Sich

[zikh]

oneself / oneself to

Reflexive pronoun used in the expression sich etwas anschauen.

Example

Ich möchte sich etwas anschauen is not correct; correct is: Ich möchte mir etwas anschauen.

I would like to look at something myself is not correct that way; correct is: I would like to look at something.

etwas

[ET-vahs]

something

An indefinite pronoun meaning something.

Example

Der Klempner muss etwas anschauen.

The plumber has to look at something.

anschauen

[AHN-show-uhn]

to look at / examine

Separable verb meaning to look at something more closely.

Example

Der Vermieter will sich die Heizung anschauen.

The landlord wants to take a look at the heating.

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