看望

• Pinyin: kàn wàng
• Hanzi breakdown: 看 = 手 + 目 (to look after); 望 = 亡 + 月 + 王 (looking towards the moon — longing and expectation) — to look upon someone with care and longing

Meaning

To visit; to call on someone. Used specifically for visiting a person out of care, concern, or social duty — not for visiting places.

Unlike 参观 (to visit a place for sightseeing), 看望 always has a person as its object. It implies a visit made out of care, affection, or politeness — visiting elderly relatives, a sick friend, or a long-unseen mentor. Warm and considerate in tone.

Examples

1. 她每周都去看望住在养老院的奶奶。 She visits her grandmother at the care home every week.
2. 节日期间，很多人去看望亲戚和朋友。 During the holiday season, many people visit relatives and friends.
3. 他专门从外地赶来看望病中的老师。 He travelled specially from another city to visit his teacher who was ill.

Usage Guide

Context: social, family, care

Tone: warm

Do Say

• 我们应该多去看望老人。(We should visit elderly people more often.)
• 他出差回来后特意去看望了老朋友。(After returning from his business trip, he made a point of visiting his old friend.)

Don't Say

• 我想去看望长城 (Don't use 看望 for places — use 参观 for scenic spots or historical sites, and 游览 for tourism; 看望 is strictly for visiting people)

Origin & History

A compound of 看 (to look at; to care for) and 望 (to look towards; to hope; to miss), together conveying the act of going to see someone with warmth and concern.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal