beobachten
Meaning and Usage
"Beobachten" in German means "to observe" or "to watch." It is used to describe the action of closely watching or observing something or someone for a period of time.
Linguistic Analysis
"Beobachten" is a verb in German. It is derived from the combination of the prefix "be-" and the root "achten," which means "to pay attention." The prefix "be-" often signifies the completion or continuation of an action. The word has its origins in the Old High German word "biôwachtôn."
Comparisons between German and English
The word "beobachten" is similar to its English counterpart "to observe" both in meaning and usage.
Cultural Context
In German-speaking countries, the word "beobachten" is commonly used in various contexts, such as scientific observations, nature watching, or observing people in social settings.
Example Sentences
- Ich beobachte die Vögel im Park.
- Die Polizei hat den Verdächtigen eine Weile beobachtet.
- Wir können die Veränderungen im Verhalten beobachten.
Memory Tips
To remember the meaning of "beobachten," think of the English word "observe" and associate it with the German word.
Additional Vocabulary
- die Beobachtung (noun) - observation
- beobachtend (adjective) - observing
- beobachtet (past participle) - observed
Gender and Plural (for nouns)
N/A (beobachten is a verb, so it does not have a gender or plural form).
Conjugation (for verbs)
- ich beobachte (I observe)
- du beobachtest (you observe)
- er/sie/es beobachtet (he/she/it observes)
- wir beobachten (we observe)
- ihr beobachtet (you observe)
- sie beobachten (they observe)