看上去

• Pinyin: kàn shàng qù
• Hanzi breakdown: 看 = 手 (hand) + 目 (eye); 上 = indicator showing above the line; 去 = pictograph of a person leaving

Meaning

To look like; to appear; to seem. Expresses a visual impression or judgement about something's appearance.

Very similar to 看起来 in meaning and usage. Some speakers feel 看上去 carries a slightly more objective or detached tone, but in practice the two are largely interchangeable. Both are used to describe how things appear to the eye or mind.

Examples

1. 他看上去比实际年龄年轻。 He looks younger than his actual age.
2. 这个房间看上去很干净。 This room looks very clean.
3. 她看上去有点儿不舒服。 She looks a little unwell.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, description

Tone: observational

Do Say

• 你看上去气色很好。(You look like you're in great shape.)
• 这个蛋糕看上去很甜。(This cake looks very sweet.)

Don't Say

• 这个问题看上去很难闻。(Don't use 看上去 for smell — use 闻起来 for things perceived by smell. Say 这个东西闻起来很难闻.)

Origin & History

Formed from 看 (to look) + 上去 (directional complement meaning 'up/onto'). The structure verb+上去 is used to express how something strikes the observer upon looking.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal