看中

• Pinyin: kàn zhòng
• Hanzi breakdown: 看 = to look; 中 = middle, but here means to hit/select (as in 中奖 win a prize)

Meaning

To take a fancy to; to have one's eye on; to be interested in.

To select or favor something after looking at it — could be an item to buy, a person for a job, or anything you've chosen. Implies deliberate selection based on assessment. Collocates with 房子 (house), 人才 (talent), 款式 (style).

Examples

1. 她在商场里看中了一条裙子，但价格有点贵，犹豫要不要买。 She took a fancy to a dress at the mall, but it's a bit expensive — she's hesitating whether to buy it.
2. 这家公司被投资人看中，很快就拿到了一轮融资。 This company caught the investor's eye and quickly received a round of funding.
3. 他在相亲时看中了一个姑娘，主动要了联系方式。 He took a liking to a girl at the blind date and proactively asked for her contact information.

Usage Guide

Context: shopping, selection, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你看中哪个了？(Which one did you take a fancy to?)
• 我看中了这套房子。(I've got my eye on this apartment.)

Don't Say

• 我看中了他的缺点。(看中 is for positive selection — you wouldn't 'take a fancy to' someone's flaws)

Origin & History

看 (to look) + 中 (to hit, select). To look and select — to take a fancy to.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal