'anschauung' originates from German, specifically the word 'Anschauung', where the prefix 'an-' meant 'to/toward' and 'schauung' derived from 'schauen' meaning 'to look' (with the noun-forming suffix '-ung').

'anschauung' entered English in the 19th century from German 'Anschauung', carried into English chiefly through philosophical writings (e.g., discussions of Kant and Hegel) and retained its original form and specialized meaning.

Initially it meant 'a looking at' or 'contemplation' in German; over time in English it came to mean 'a particular way of seeing or perceiving (a viewpoint)', especially in a philosophical sense.