看起来

• 拼音: kàn qǐ lái
• 汉字拆解: 看 = 手 (hand) + 目 (eye), meaning to shield eyes and look; 起 = 走 (walk) + 己 (self); 来 = simplified from 來, pictograph of a wheat plant

含义

To look like; to appear; to seem. Used to express how something appears based on visual impression or overall feeling.

A complement structure combining 看 (look) with the directional complement 起来 (up/upon). It expresses a subjective judgement based on appearance. Can be used for people, objects, or situations. Often interchangeable with 看上去, though 看起来 is slightly more common in everyday speech.

例句

1. 她今天看起来很高兴。
2. 这道菜看起来非常好吃。
3. 外面看起来快要下雨了。

用法指南

语境: everyday, description

语气: observational

正确说法

• 你看起来很累，早点休息吧。(You look tired — get some rest early.)
• 这件衣服看起来很适合你。(This outfit looks like it suits you well.)

错误说法

• 这首歌看起来很好听。(Don't use 看起来 for sounds — use 听起来 for things perceived by hearing. Say 这首歌听起来很好听.)

起源与历史

Formed from 看 (to look) + 起来 (a verbal complement indicating the beginning of an action or an impression). The structure verb+起来 is a productive pattern in Chinese for expressing how something appears.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal