可见

Think of 可见 as the logical 'aha!' moment in a sentence. When you are explaining something and want to point out the obvious conclusion, this is your go-to word.

It literally translates to 'can be seen,' but in practice, it functions like the English phrases 'it is thus clear' or 'this shows that.' It helps your listener follow your train of thought by highlighting the result of your evidence.

The term is rooted in classical Chinese, where 可 (kě - can) and 见 (jiàn - see) were combined to describe visual evidence. Over centuries, the meaning shifted from literal sight to metaphorical 'mental sight.'

In historical texts, it was used to summarize philosophical arguments. It evolved to become a standard grammatical tool for connecting premises to conclusions in both formal and informal Chinese writing.

You will mostly find 可见 at the start of a clause or sentence. It is very common in academic writing, news reports, and persuasive speeches where you need to prove a point.

It pairs well with 由此 (from this) to create the phrase 由此可见, which is a very strong way to say 'from this, it is evident.'

1. 由此可见: From this, it is clear. 2. 显而可见: Obviously visible. 3. 可见一斑: See a small part to understand the whole. 4. 可见一斑: To get a glimpse of the truth. 5. 可见一般: Generally speaking, it is clear.

In Chinese, 可见 is a conjunction that does not change form. It is pronounced 'keh-jyen' with a third tone followed by a fourth tone.

It acts as a discourse marker. Unlike English conjunctions that sit between clauses, 可见 often starts the second clause to provide a summary or a final verdict on the situation.