Looking up...
看
kàn
look
你在看什么？
What are you looking at?
neutral
To use one's sight to perceive something; to gaze or observe.
他看了一会儿书。
He looked at a book for a while.
请看黑板。
Please look at the blackboard.
Commonly used in commands or instructions to direct attention.
neutral
To read (a text or written material).
我每天看报纸。
I read the newspaper every day.
这本书值得看。
This book is worth reading.
Often used with objects like 报纸 (newspaper), 书 (book), or 文章 (article).
neutral
To visit or call on someone.
明天我去看奶奶。
I'm going to visit Grandma tomorrow.
医生下午来看病人。
The doctor will see patients in the afternoon.
Common in contexts like visiting family, patients, or friends.
neutral
To consider or regard (something) in a certain way.
我看这件事不太好。
I think this matter isn't good.
你怎么看这部电影？
What do you think of this movie?
Often used in opinions or evaluations.
neutral
To look after or take care of (someone).
她看孩子。
She takes care of the children.
医生会看好你的。
The doctor will take good care of you.
Common in caregiving contexts.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Collocations
Remember that 看 often pairs with objects to form specific actions: 看书 (read a book), 看电影 (watch a movie), 看病 (see a doctor). These are fixed expressions and should be memorized as chunks.
Gold Rule
Distinguish 看 and 看见
看 means 'to look' or 'to watch', while 看见 means 'to see' or 'to catch sight of'. 看 implies the action, while 看见 emphasizes the result of seeing.
Word Origin
The character 看 originated from the combination of 手 (hand) and 目 (eye), suggesting the act of covering one's eyes to see better or shield from light, evolving to mean 'to look' or 'to watch'.
Usage Notes
看 is one of the most versatile verbs in Mandarin and can combine with many objects to form specific actions (e.g., 看书 to read, 看病 to see a doctor). It is often used in imperative sentences to give instructions.
Word Breakdown
目
eye
root手
hand
root汉英词典