betrachtete

Betrachtete is the simple past (Präteritum) form of the German verb betrachten, meaning to look at, regard, or contemplate. It is used to describe past actions or states in which someone looked at or considered something. The verb is transitive and typically takes a direct object, such as einen Plan, eine Szene, or eine Möglichkeit.

As a regular verb with the prefix be-, betrachten forms its Präteritum in the standard pattern for weak verbs. In the singular: ich betrachtete, du betrachtetest, er betrachtete. In the plural: wir betrachteten, ihr betrachteten, sie betrachteten. The corresponding past participle is betrachtet, which is used with hat in the present perfect tense (Perfekt), for example: ich habe betrachtet, er hat betrachtet.

In contrast to the Präteritum, in everyday spoken German the Perfekt is more common for past events, so forms like "ich habe betrachtet" are frequently heard in conversation. The Präteritum form "betrachtete" remains prevalent in written prose, literary narration, and formal writing.

Related forms include the noun Betrachtung, meaning contemplation or consideration, derived from the same verb family. The meaning can range from literal viewing to more figurative assessment, such as contemplating a plan or evaluating a work of art.

Examples:

- Ich betrachtete den Himmel. (I looked at the sky.)

- Sie betrachteten die Skizze lange. (They regarded the sketch for a long time.)

Originating from the prefix be- attached to betrachten, the verb reflects a sense of directing attention toward something for examination or consideration.