spähen
Translation
to peer, to spy, to peek
Examples
Er spähte durch das Schlüsselloch.
He peered through the keyhole.
Die Katze späht nach der Maus.
The cat is watching for the mouse.
Grammar Patterns
((through sth.)) to peer through sth. He peered through the keyhole.
((for sth.)) to watch out for sth. The cat is watching for the mouse.
((into sth.)) to peer into sth. He peered into the dark room.
Similar Words
gucken (to look), blicken (to glance), beobachten (to observe)
Etymology
From Proto-Germanic '*spehōną' (to see). It shares its origin with the English word 'spy'.
Memory Tips
Think of a 'spy' who has to 'spähen' (peer) to gather information.