见效

• Pinyin: jiàn xiào
• Hanzi breakdown: 见 = to see, appear; 效 = 交 (exchange) + 攵 (action) — effect, result

Meaning

To take effect; to produce results; to be effective. The visible manifestation of results from an action or treatment.

Used to describe when medicine, treatment, policy, or other measures begin showing their intended effects. Often appears in medical, policy, and business contexts. Can be modified with adverbs indicating speed: 立即见效 (immediately effective), 缓慢见效 (slowly taking effect).

Examples

1. 这种药一般服用三天后才会见效，需要耐心。 This medicine usually takes effect after three days of use, so patience is needed.
2. 新的营销策略很快见效，销售额明显提升。 The new marketing strategy quickly showed results, with sales noticeably increasing.
3. 改革措施还没见效，就遭到了反对派的批评。 The reform measures haven't yet taken effect, but they've already faced criticism from the opposition.

Usage Guide

Context: medical, business, policy

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这个方法多久能见效？(How long until this method shows results?)
• 药物已经开始见效了。(The medication is starting to take effect.)

Don't Say

• 说'立刻见效'来做不切实际的承诺 (Don't promise 立刻见效 unrealistically — most measures take time to show results, and overpromising damages credibility)

Origin & History

Composed of 见 (to see; appear) + 效 (effect; result). Together they mean for effects to become visible.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal