verb
to pay attention to, to heed
B1
Beachten: means 'to pay attention to' or 'to heed' (e.g. jemanden/etwas beachten = notice or follow). It's a regular, non‑reflexive, non‑separable verb that takes a direct object (Akkusativ). Uses auxiliary haben in perfect: hat beachtet. Imperative: beachte! Common in formal contexts.
Examples
Da die Arbeiter die Sicherheitsanweisungen nicht beachteten, wurde die Maschine mehrere Stunden repariert.
Because the workers did not observe the safety instructions, the machine was repaired for several hours.
Ich beachte die Regeln.
I follow the rules.
Er beachtete die Warnung nicht.
He did not heed the warning.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture someone marking a list with a big check and the label 'beachten' above it
Sounds a bit like 'be-acht-en' → imagine 'be act' to remember 'pay attention to an act'
Notes
Beachten is often used in formal contexts (e.g., 'Bitte beachten Sie...'). It overlaps with 'achten auf' (to pay attention to) but 'beachten' often implies noticing or observing rules/instructions rather than continuously paying attention.