German word

blicken

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈblɪkən/

Meaning

  • verblook toward

Example

Die Kinder blickten sofort zum Spielplatz.

The children immediately looked over at the playground.

Illustration for blicken (look toward)

More examples

Sie blickte auf das Handy.

She looked at her phone.

Core concept

Eyes turn toward a visible target, either for a brief glance or for directed attention.

Common phrases

  • blicken auf das Handy

    look at the phone

  • blicken auf den Bildschirm

    look at the screen

  • blicken zu jemandem

    look toward someone

Similar words

sehen: Perceive a person or thing with the eyes.
schauen: Look at something with focused attention.
gucken: Look at something in a casual, informal way.
ansehen: Look deliberately at a person or thing with care.

Definition in German

Mit den Augen in eine bestimmte Richtung sehen oder kurz hinsehen.

Word origin

Blicken is an inherited Germanic verb, attested in Middle High German and related to the noun Blick within an older Germanic word family.

Usage tips

  • For a target, blicken commonly takes auf with the accusative, as in auf den Spielplatz blicken.

Other meanings

  • glanceverb

Opposites

  • wegsehenlook awayverb

Related words

  • Blicklooknoun
  • Blickkontakteye contactnoun

Word lists with this word