German Phrase
Schnee ist schön anzusehen.
Meaning
Literally, 'Snow is beautiful to look at.' The sentence expresses that the sight of snow is pleasing, focusing on its visual appeal rather than any tactile or auditory qualities.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to comment on a snowy landscape, a fresh blanket of snow on the ground, or any winter scene that catches the eye. It works well in casual conversation, travel blogs, or when describing photos.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Schneeistschönanzusehen
Schnee (noun)
Masculine noun, nominative singular. Means 'snow'.
ist (sein)
3rd person singular present of 'sein' – the basic verb 'to be'.
schön (adjective)
Predicative adjective, stays in base form after 'sein'. Means 'beautiful' or 'nice'.
anzusehen (infinitive with zu)
Verb infinitive with 'zu' used after adjectives like 'schön' to express purpose or perception: 'to look at'.
🗨In Conversation
Schnee ist schön anzusehen, findest du nicht?
Snow is beautiful to look at, don’t you think?
Ja, besonders wenn die Sonne darauf glitzert.
Yes, especially when the sun sparkles on it.
✕Common Mistakes
Schnee ist schön zu sehen.
While 'schön zu sehen' is understandable, native speakers prefer the infinitive with 'zu' attached to the verb (anzusehen) after 'schön'.
Schnee ist schön anschauen.
'Anschauen' is possible but sounds less idiomatic in this construction; use 'anzusehen' for a smoother phrase.
↔Alternatives
Der Schnee sieht schön aus.
The snow looks beautiful.
Der Schnee ist ein echter Augenschmaus.
The snow is a real feast for the eyes.
Man kann den Schnee gut ansehen.
One can look at the snow nicely.
Cultural Tip
Talking about weather, especially snow, is a classic ice‑breaker in German‑speaking countries. In Austria and southern Germany, people often add a regional flavor, e.g., 'Der Schnee ist ein wahres Winterwunder.' Remember that 'schön anzusehen' sounds a bit more formal than the everyday 'schön aussieht', so choose the version that matches the register of your conversation.