The idea
Use besuchen for visiting a person, place or event. Use besichtigen for looking around a place to inspect or see it. Read the complete sentence before choosing: the object, situation, time reference and relationship between speakers can determine the better expression. Where the meanings overlap, both can be possible with a different emphasis. The reference table states the senses taught here; other dictionary senses may require a different translation.
| Expression | Meaning in comparison |
|---|---|
| besuchen | „Besuchen“ bedeutet zu jemandem oder einer Einrichtung gehen. |
| besichtigen | „Besichtigen“ bedeutet einen Ort gezielt ansehen. |
Examples
- Am Sonntag besuchen wir unsere Tante.On Sunday we visit our aunt.
- Morgen besichtigen wir die freie Wohnung.Tomorrow we will view the available flat.
- Lea besucht einen Abendkurs.Lea attends an evening course.
- Die Gruppe besichtigt das historische Rathaus.The group visits the historic town hall.
- Im Herbst besucht uns ein ehemaliger Mitschüler.A former classmate visits us in autumn.
- Interessenten können die Werkstatt am Freitag besichtigen.Interested people can view the workshop on Friday.
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Watch out
Besichtigen is unsuitable for an ordinary social visit to a person.
Try it yourself
What does “besuchen” mean in the first example sentence? Explain how it differs from the meaning of “besichtigen”.
Show answer or example answer
„Besuchen“ bedeutet zu jemandem oder einer Einrichtung gehen. „Besichtigen“ bedeutet einen Ort gezielt ansehen.
besuchen matches visiting a person, place or event; the German definition gives the intended sense.
Explain the choice of word in this sentence. What meaning would the other expression have? Morgen besichtigen wir die freie Wohnung.
Show answer or example answer
besichtigen: „Besichtigen“ bedeutet einen Ort gezielt ansehen.
Morgen besichtigen wir die freie Wohnung. uses besichtigen for looking around a place to inspect or see it. The answer depends on this context, not only on the spelling of the word.
Write a separate sentence for each expression. Use “besuchen” and “besichtigen” in different situations.
Show answer or example answer
Mögliche Lösungen: Lea besucht einen Abendkurs. Die Gruppe besichtigt das historische Rathaus.
The model pair keeps the meanings separate: besuchen expresses visiting a person, place or event, whereas besichtigen expresses looking around a place to inspect or see it. Other original sentences are possible if their context supports the chosen sense.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
What does “besuchen” mean in the first example sentence? Explain how it differs from the meaning of “besichtigen”.
„Besuchen“ bedeutet zu jemandem oder einer Einrichtung gehen. „Besichtigen“ bedeutet einen Ort gezielt ansehen.
Explain the choice of word in this sentence. What meaning would the other expression have? Morgen besichtigen wir die freie Wohnung.
besichtigen: „Besichtigen“ bedeutet einen Ort gezielt ansehen.
Write a separate sentence for each expression. Use “besuchen” and “besichtigen” in different situations.
Mögliche Lösungen: Lea besucht einen Abendkurs. Die Gruppe besichtigt das historische Rathaus.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Describe two real situations from your day, using besuchen in one and besichtigen in the other. Underline the detail that makes the chosen meaning appropriate. If both expressions could fit, explain the change in emphasis rather than marking the alternative automatically wrong.