gucken
to look · to watch · to check
Gucken is the everyday German word for 'to look' or 'to watch'. It is informal and very common in spoken German, often used instead of 'sehen' or 'schauen'. You'll hear it in phrases like 'guck mal' (look) or when talking about watching TV.
What gucken means
- to look — directing your eyes at something, often with a direction or at a specific thing
- to watch — watching something for a period, like TV, a film, or an event
- to check — informally checking something, like looking at a document or situation
Heard in real German videos
Lines where gucken was actually spoken, from German videos watched with DeutschChat.
- Guck mal, was ich habe.Look what I have.
- Guck mal, wie ich schwimme.Look how I swim.
- Jetzt nur nicht nach unten gucken.Just don't look down now.
Example sentences
- Guck mal, da ist ein Eichhörnchen!Look, there's a squirrel!
- Wir gucken heute Abend einen Film.We're watching a movie tonight.
- Ich gucke schnell, ob die Post da ist.I'll quickly check if the mail is here.
- Guck nicht so traurig!Don't look so sad!
Grammar
| Present (ich/du/er) | gucke / guckst / guckt |
|---|---|
| Simple past | guckte |
| Perfect | hat geguckt |
| Separable | no |
| Case it takes | often with directional adverbs or prepositions, no direct object required |
Gucken is a regular weak verb. In the perfect tense, use 'haben' + 'geguckt'. It is often used with 'mal' to soften a request: 'Guck mal!'
Common phrases
- guck mallook (used to draw attention)
- Fernsehen guckento watch TV
- in die Röhre guckento be left empty-handed (literally: to look into the tube)
- sich satt guckento get one's fill of looking at something
The mistake English speakers make
English speakers often confuse 'gucken' with 'kucken' (a regional spelling) or use 'schauen' when 'gucken' is more natural in casual speech. Remember: 'gucken' is informal and common in northern and central Germany, while 'schauen' is more southern. Use 'gucken' in everyday conversation, but 'sehen' in formal writing.
Don’t confuse it with
- schauen — Schauen is more common in southern Germany and Austria, and slightly more formal than gucken.
- sehen — Sehen is the general verb for 'to see' and is more formal; gucken implies an intentional act of looking.
Questions learners ask
Is it 'gucken' or 'kucken'?
Both spellings exist. 'Gucken' is the standard spelling, while 'kucken' is a common variant in northern Germany. In writing, use 'gucken'.
How do you pronounce 'gucken'?
The 'g' is pronounced like a 'k', so it sounds like 'kucken'. The 'u' is short, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Can I use 'gucken' in formal situations?
It's better to use 'sehen' or 'schauen' in formal writing or speech. 'Gucken' is fine in everyday conversation with friends and family.