German Phrase
Schau dir den Kratzer auf dem Boden an.
Meaning
The sentence tells someone to look at a scratch that is on the floor. It uses the informal imperative, a reflexive dative pronoun, and a separable verb construction, making it a typical everyday German command.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to point out a defect, a mark, or any kind of scratch on a surface in a casual setting – at home, in a workshop, or while walking around a school or office.
✦Grammar Breakdown
SchaudirdenKratzeraufdemBodenan
Schau (imperative)
‘Schau’ is the informal imperative of the verb schauen. Use it when speaking to friends, family or anyone you address with du.
dir (reflexive dative)
The verb anschauen requires a reflexive pronoun in the dative case when the subject is du; therefore ‘dir’ is used.
den Kratzer (accusative)
‘Kratzer’ is a masculine noun; as the direct object it takes the accusative article ‘den’.
auf dem Boden (prepositional phrase)
The preposition ‘auf’ with a static location takes the dative case, hence ‘dem Boden’.
an (separable prefix)
‘anschauen’ is a separable verb. In main clauses the prefix ‘an’ moves to the end of the sentence.
🗨In Conversation
Schau dir den Kratzer auf dem Boden an.
Look at the scratch on the floor.
Oh, das ist neu. Wie ist das passiert?
Oh, that’s new. How did it happen?
✕Common Mistakes
Schau du den Kratzer auf dem Boden an.
The reflexive pronoun must be in dative (dir), not the subject pronoun du.
Schau dir die Kratzer auf dem Boden an.
If the noun were feminine or plural, the article would change; learners often forget the case agreement.
Schau dir den Kratzer auf den Boden an.
‘auf’ with a static location requires dative, not accusative.
Schau dir an den Kratzer auf dem Boden.
With separable verbs the prefix goes to the end of the clause, not after the object.
↔Alternatives
Sieh dir den Kratzer auf dem Boden an.
Look at the scratch on the floor.
Guck mal, der Kratzer am Boden.
Hey, look, the scratch on the floor.
Schauen Sie sich den Kratzer auf dem Boden an.
Please look at the scratch on the floor.
Cultural Tip
‘Schau dir … an’ is strictly informal. In a professional or formal context you would switch to the polite form ‘Schauen Sie sich … an’. Also, Germans often use the shorter ‘guck mal’ or ‘sieh mal’ in very casual speech, especially among younger speakers.