German word

bestaunen

Pronunciation

IPA/bəˈʃtaʊ̯nən/

Meaning

  • verbmarvel at

Example

Ich bestaune die schöne Aussicht.

I marvel at the beautiful view.

Illustration for bestaunen (marvel at)

More examples

Sie bestaunt die alte Architektur der Stadt.

She marvels at the city's old architecture.

Core concept

A viewer's eyes stay fixed on a striking scene, combining surprise with warm admiration.

Common phrases

  • die Natur bestaunen

    marvel at nature

  • die Architektur bestaunen

    marvel at architecture

  • eine Leistung bestaunen

    marvel at an achievement

Similar words

bewundern: Hold someone or something in high regard and express deep admiration.
staunen: Be filled with surprise or wonder at something remarkable or unfamiliar.
betrachten: Examine something slowly and attentively, including its smaller details.
ansehen: Look at something to see what it looks like or how it appears.

Definition in German

Etwas mit Staunen und Bewunderung betrachten

Word origin

Bestaunen combines the prefix be- with staunen, 'to be amazed', forming a transitive verb for directing amazement and admiration at an object.

Usage tips

  • Bestaunen takes a direct accusative object, as in 'die Aussicht bestaunen', while staunen commonly uses 'über' with the thing causing amazement.

Other meanings

  • gaze atverb
  • admireverb

Opposites

  • verachtendespiseverb

Related words

  • das Bestaunenmarvelingnoun
  • bestaunenswertadmirableadjective

Word lists with this word