看得出

• Pinyin: kàn de chū
• Hanzi breakdown: 看 = to look; 得 = potential complement marker; 出 = to come out, produce — able to discern

Meaning

Can tell; can see; it's apparent.

Indicates that something is visible or discernible — you can perceive or figure something out from observation. The negative form 看不出 means 'can't tell.' Common in everyday conversation. Collocates with 来 (coming), 明显 (obviously), 一眼 (at a glance).

Examples

1. 看得出你最近心情不太好，有什么烦心事吗？ I can tell you haven't been in a good mood lately — is something bothering you?
2. 这幅画虽然是赝品，但普通人根本看不出来。 Although this painting is a forgery, ordinary people can't tell at all.
3. 从他的表情看得出，他对这个结果很满意。 From his expression, you can tell he's very satisfied with this result.

Usage Guide

Context: observation, conversation, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 看得出他很紧张。(You can tell he's nervous.)
• 一眼就看得出是假的。(You can tell at a glance it's fake.)

Don't Say

• 我看得出了这本书。(看得出 means to discern/tell, not to finish reading — use 看完 for that)

Origin & History

看 (to look) + 得出 (able to produce/determine). Able to see/determine from looking.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal