vorbeischauen

Vorbeischauen is a German verb that translates to "to stop by," "to drop in," or "to look in" in English. It describes the act of visiting someone or someplace briefly and informally, often without a prior appointment or extensive planning. The connotation is usually one of casualness and spontaneity.

The verb is composed of the prefix "vorbei" meaning "by" or "past," and the verb "schauen" meaning "to look" or "to see." Together, they imply a quick glance or a short visit as one is passing by or going somewhere else. For example, someone might say "Ich wollte nur kurz vorbeischauen" which translates to "I just wanted to stop by for a moment." This suggests a brief, friendly visit that doesn't require a lot of time.

The term can be used in various contexts. One might vorbeischauen at a friend's house, at a shop to pick something up, or even at an event to see what's happening before moving on. The emphasis is on the informal and short duration of the visit. It is a common and idiomatic expression in everyday German conversation.