收看

• Pinyin: shōu kàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 收 = 丩 (entangle) + 攵 (strike), meaning to receive; 看 = 手 (hand) + 目 (eye), shading eyes to look

Meaning

To watch (a television broadcast). Specifically refers to viewing TV programmes or broadcast content.

A somewhat formal term mainly used in the context of television. Often heard in programme announcements such as 欢迎收看 (welcome to our programme). More formal than 看 alone when referring to TV viewing.

Examples

1. 每天晚上爷爷都会收看新闻节目。 Grandpa watches the news programme every evening.
2. 欢迎收看今天的天气预报。 Welcome to today's weather forecast.
3. 很多人喜欢在家收看电视剧。 Many people like to watch TV dramas at home.

Usage Guide

Context: media, television

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 请收看今晚八点的特别节目。(Please tune in to the special programme at 8pm tonight.)
• 你经常收看什么节目？(What programmes do you usually watch?)

Don't Say

• 我收看了一本书。(Don't use 收看 for reading books — it is specifically for watching TV broadcasts. Use 看 for books.)

Origin & History

收 (to receive) + 看 (to watch). Literally 'to receive and watch', referring to receiving broadcast signals and viewing them.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal