German Phrase
Er sieht besorgt aus.
Meaning
This phrase describes someone's physical appearance as reflecting an internal state of anxiety or concern. It uses the separable verb 'aussehen' to indicate that the subject's visual cues suggest they are troubled.
When to use
Use this phrase when you notice someone has a facial expression or body language that suggests they are worried about something. It is appropriate for both casual observations and formal discussions about someone's emotional state.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ersiehtbesorgtaus
Separable Verb (aussehen)
The verb 'aussehen' (to look/appear) is separable. In a main clause, the prefix 'aus' moves to the end of the sentence.
Verb Conjugation
'Sieht' is the third-person singular present form of 'sehen'. Note the vowel change from 'e' to 'ie' which is typical for many strong German verbs.
🗨In Conversation
Hast du Markus heute im Büro getroffen?
Did you meet Markus at the office today?
Ja, er sieht besorgt aus. Hoffentlich ist alles okay.
Yes, he looks worried. Hopefully everything is okay.
✕Common Mistakes
Er sieht besorgt.
The verb is 'aussehen'. Without the prefix 'aus' at the end, the sentence is incomplete and lacks the intended meaning of 'appears'.
Er sieht aus besorgt.
In a standard German main clause, the separable prefix 'aus' must go at the very end of the sentence, after the adjective.
↔Alternatives
Er wirkt besorgt.
He seems worried.
Er macht einen besorgten Eindruck.
He makes a worried impression.
Cultural Tip
Germans value direct observation but usually follow such a statement with a supportive question like 'Ist alles in Ordnung?' (Is everything okay?). Using 'aussehen' is a common way to gently broach the topic of someone's well-being.