看

• Pinyin: kàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 看 = 手 (hand, top component) + 目 (eye) — shading the eyes with a hand to look far

Meaning

To look; to see; to read; to watch. One of the most versatile visual perception verbs.

Core meanings include: look at (看一下), read (看书), watch (看电视), visit someone (看朋友), see a doctor (看病). Can also mean 'it depends' (看情况). Often combined with result complements like 看到, 看见.

Examples

1. 你在看什么书？ What book are you reading?
2. 我喜欢看电影。 I like watching movies.
3. 看，那边有一只猫！ Look, there's a cat over there!

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, reading, entertainment

Tone: conversational

Do Say

• 我在看书。(I'm reading a book.)
• 你看过这个电影吗？(Have you seen this movie?)

Don't Say

• 我看听音乐。(看 is for visual things — use 听 alone for listening to music)

Origin & History

The character combines 手 (hand, as a radical above the eye) and 目 (eye) — shading the eyes with a hand to look into the distance.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal