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A2 noun 9 min read

照看

zhào kàn

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 照看 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 照看 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that '照看' (zhàokàn) means 'to look after.' You can use it in very simple sentences like '我照看孩子' (I look after the child). It is a helpful word for basic daily tasks. Think of it as 'watch' + 'see.' You use it when you are staying with someone or something to make sure they are okay. It's often used with '一下' (yīxià) to mean 'for a little bit.' For example, '请照看一下' (Please look after this for a second). This is very useful when you are traveling and need someone to watch your bag. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet; just remember 'Subject + 照看 + Object.'

At the A2 level, you should be able to use '照看' in more complete sentences and understand its role in polite requests. You will often see it used with the word '帮' (bāng - help), as in '你能帮我照看行李吗？' (Can you help me look after my luggage?). You should also recognize that it can apply to people (children, the elderly) and things (luggage, pets). At this level, you start to see the difference between '看' (to look) and '照看' (to look after). '照看' implies a responsibility. You are not just looking; you are making sure the thing is safe. You might also hear it in public announcements at train stations or airports.

By B1, you should understand the nuance between '照看' and '照顾.' While '照顾' (zhàogù) is a broader term for taking care of someone's overall needs, '照看' is more about the physical act of watching or supervising. You can use '照看' in more complex sentence structures, such as using the durative marker '着' (zhe) to show an ongoing action: '他一边照看着火，一边看书' (He was looking after the fire while reading). You should also be comfortable using it in professional contexts, such as describing the duties of a babysitter or a house-sitter. You can discuss the importance of '照看' in terms of safety and prevention.

At the B2 level, you can use '照看' to discuss more abstract or formal responsibilities. For example, you might talk about '照看生意' (looking after a business) while the owner is away. You should be able to use resultative complements like '照看好' (looked after well) and understand how '照看' fits into social obligations in Chinese culture. You can use it in debates about childcare or elderly care, highlighting the difference between professional '护理' (nursing) and familial '照看.' You should also be able to identify when '照看' is used metaphorically in literature to mean 'guarding' or 'preserving' something valuable, like a tradition or a landscape.

At the C1 level, you should have a deep understanding of the stylistic choices involving '照看.' You can distinguish it from more formal terms like '照料' (zhàoliào) or '监护' (jiānhù). You might use '照看' in analytical writing to describe the role of community in urban China, or in literary analysis to discuss a character's sense of duty. You should understand how the word interacts with various adverbs of manner, such as '尽心尽力地照看' (to look after with all one's heart and soul). You can also use it in legal or semi-legal contexts, such as discussing who has the responsibility to '照看' public property or shared resources.

At the C2 level, '照看' is a tool for nuanced expression. You understand its historical roots and how the characters '照' and '看' interact at a deep linguistic level. You can use the word in high-level philosophical discussions about the 'gaze' and responsibility. You might use it in complex narratives to evoke a specific atmosphere of vigilance or domesticity. You are also aware of regional variations or specific dialectal uses that might substitute other words for '照看.' Your usage is indistinguishable from a native speaker, employing it with perfect tone, rhythm, and contextual appropriateness in any situation, from a casual chat to a formal lecture on social structures.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

照看 in 30 Seconds

照看 (zhàokàn) means to look after or watch over something/someone.
It is primarily a verb used for children, pets, luggage, or houses.
It emphasizes vigilance and physical monitoring over emotional nurturing.
Common in daily requests and public safety announcements.

The Chinese term 照看 (zhàokàn) is a versatile and essential verb that every Chinese learner should master early in their journey. At its core, it translates to "to look after," "to take care of," or "to keep an eye on." While it shares similarities with other care-related words, its specific nuance lies in the combination of its two characters. The first character, 照 (zhào), originally means to shine or to illuminate, but in this context, it implies a sense of reflection or keeping something within one's field of vision. The second character, 看 (kàn), is the standard word for 'to look' or 'to see.' Together, they create a mental image of 'shining a light' on someone or something to ensure its safety and well-being.

Common Usage: You will most frequently hear this word in domestic or casual settings. It is the go-to word when asking someone to watch your luggage for a moment at a train station, asking a neighbor to water your plants (look after the house), or describing the act of a grandparent watching over a grandchild. It implies a level of responsibility that is temporary or focused on safety rather than the deep, long-term emotional 'nurturing' associated with words like 照顾 (zhàogù).

请帮我照看一下行李，我去买张票。 (Please help me look after my luggage for a moment; I am going to buy a ticket.)

In terms of register, 照看 is neutral. It is neither overly formal nor slangy, making it safe to use with friends, family, and even in professional contexts like a daycare center or a hospital. However, it is important to distinguish it from its synonyms. While 照顾 (zhàogù) might involve cooking, cleaning, and emotional support, 照看 is often more about the physical act of 'watching' to prevent something bad from happening. For instance, you '照看' a fire to make sure it doesn't go out or spread, but you '照顾' a sick person to help them recover.

Objects of 照看: Common objects include 孩子 (háizi - children), 病人 (bìngrén - patients), 行李 (xínglǐ - luggage), 门户 (ménhù - the house/door), and 宠物 (chǒngwù - pets).

他在家照看生病的母亲。 (He is at home looking after his sick mother.)

Culturally, the concept of 照看 is deeply embedded in the Chinese sense of communal responsibility. In many traditional neighborhoods (hutongs or apartment complexes), it is quite common for neighbors to 照看 each other's children or property. This word encapsulates that sense of 'watching out for one another' that defines many Chinese social interactions. Understanding this word helps you navigate daily life in a Chinese-speaking environment where mutual assistance is a core social value.

Using 照看 (zhàokàn) correctly requires understanding its grammatical placement as a transitive verb. In its simplest form, the structure is Subject + 照看 + Object. However, because the action often implies a favor or a temporary state, it is frequently paired with auxiliary verbs and aspect markers like 一下 (yīxià) or 着 (zhe).

我不在的时候，谁来照看这些花？ (Who will look after these flowers while I am away?)

One of the most common patterns is 帮/帮忙 + [Person] + 照看 + [Object]. This is the standard way to ask for a favor. Adding 一下 after 照看 softens the request, making it sound more polite and suggesting that the task is not overly burdensome.

Pattern: Requesting Help: 你能帮我照看一下孩子吗？ (Can you help me look after the child for a bit?)

Another important usage involves the durative aspect marker 着 (zhe). When you say 照看着, you are emphasizing the continuous state of watching. This is often used when one action is happening while the watching is taking place.

她一边照看着火，一边洗菜。 (She was washing vegetables while keeping an eye on the fire.)

In more formal or written contexts, 照看 can be used to describe professional duties. For example, a nurse's duty might be described as 照看病人. Here, it takes on a more serious tone of professional supervision. However, even in these cases, the focus remains on the 'supervisory' aspect of care.

Negative Forms: To say someone failed to look after something, you can use '没(有)照看好' (didn't look after well) or '疏于照看' (neglected to look after - very formal).

因为没人照看，小狗跑掉了。 (Because no one was looking after it, the puppy ran away.)

Finally, consider the object. If the object is a place, like a shop or a house, 照看 implies staying there to prevent theft or problems. If the object is a person, it implies ensuring their safety and attending to their immediate needs. If the object is an abstract thing like a 'business' or 'affairs,' it implies management and oversight.

Understanding the physical and social environments where 照看 (zhàokàn) appears will help you recognize it in the wild. This word is a staple of everyday life in China, appearing in both spoken dialogue and public signage. One of the most common places you will hear it is in transportation hubs like airports, train stations, and bus terminals.

请各位旅客照看好自己的随身物品。 (Passengers, please look after your personal belongings.)

This announcement is played on a loop in almost every major station in China. It serves as a reminder to be vigilant. Similarly, in public parks or playgrounds, you will see signs or hear parents saying to one another: "请照看好您的孩子" (Please look after your children). In these contexts, the word functions as a warning and a call for responsibility.

Domestic Settings: In a Chinese home, 照看 is used constantly. If a mother needs to step out to the market, she might ask the grandmother: '妈，帮我照看一会儿宝宝' (Mom, help me look after the baby for a while). It's the language of shared household labor.

In hospitals and elderly care facilities, the word is used to describe the primary function of caregivers. While doctors 'treat' (治疗), the family members or 'ayis' (caregivers) '照看' the patient. They are the ones watching the IV drip, helping the patient move, and ensuring they are comfortable.

这家医院的护士非常尽心地照看每一位病人。 (The nurses in this hospital look after every patient very conscientiously.)

Finally, you might encounter this word in literature or news reports when discussing the protection of vulnerable groups or the preservation of heritage. For instance, a forest ranger might be described as '照看森林' (looking after the forest). In these cases, the word elevates from a simple chore to a noble duty of guardianship. Whether it's a small child or a vast forest, 照看 implies a protective gaze that ensures survival and order.

For English speakers, the primary challenge with 照看 (zhàokàn) is distinguishing it from its close cousins, particularly 照顾 (zhàogù). While both can be translated as "to take care of," they are not always interchangeable. The mistake of using 照看 when 照顾 is required (and vice versa) is one of the most common errors for A2 and B1 learners.

照看 vs. 照顾

照看: Focuses on 'watching' and 'supervising.' It's often temporary. You look after luggage or a child at the park.

照顾: Focuses on 'nurturing' and 'providing for.' It involves long-term care, emotional support, and physical service like cooking or cleaning.

❌ 我在照看我的晚年生活。 (I am 'looking after' my late-life years.)
✅ 我在照顾我的晚年生活。 (I am 'taking care of' my life in old age.)

Another common mistake is using 照看 for abstract concepts where 管理 (guǎnlǐ - manage) or 负责 (fùzé - be responsible for) would be more appropriate. You can 照看 a shop (physically being there), but you don't 照看 a complex international marketing strategy. The latter requires 'management,' not just 'watching.'

Grammatically, learners often forget the 'result' of the action. In Chinese, if you look after something successfully, you should say 照看好 (zhàokàn hǎo). If you just say '照看,' it sounds like the action is ongoing, but adding '好' completes the sense of responsibility being fulfilled.

Mistake: Over-reliance on '看': English speakers often just say '看' (look) when they mean 'look after.' For example, '看孩子' is acceptable in very casual speech, but '照看孩子' is more precise. '看行李' is fine, but '照看行李' sounds more like you are actually taking responsibility for it.

❌ 别担心，我会看你的猫。 (Don't worry, I'll 'look' your cat.)
✅ 别担心，我会帮您照看您的猫。 (Don't worry, I'll help you look after your cat.)

Lastly, avoid using 照看 for 'looking for' (寻找 xúnzhǎo) or 'looking at' (观看 guānkàn). The '照' in 照看 is the key—it implies a protective, watchful presence, not a visual search or entertainment.

To truly master 照看 (zhàokàn), you must see how it sits within the wider family of 'care' and 'watch' verbs in Chinese. Each has a specific flavor and context.

1. 照顾 (zhàogù): The most common alternative. It is broader than 照看. It implies holistic care, including physical, emotional, and financial support. You 照顾 your parents for twenty years; you 照看 your neighbor's dog for twenty minutes.
2. 看管 (kānguǎn): This word has a stronger sense of 'supervision' or even 'custody.' It is often used for prisoners, valuable goods, or energetic children who might get into trouble. It sounds a bit more restrictive than 照看.
3. 护理 (hùlǐ): This is specifically 'nursing care.' It is used in medical contexts. A professional nurse performs 护理, while a family member might just 照看 the patient.
4. 照料 (zhàoliào): This is more formal and often used in written Chinese. It implies 'attending to' someone's needs. It is very similar to 照顾 but feels slightly more clinical or administrative.

Comparison:
- 照看孩子 (Watch the kid so they don't fall).
- 照顾孩子 (Feed the kid, bathe them, and love them).
- 看管孩子 (Keep the kid from running away or breaking things).

When should you choose 照看 over others? Choose it when the primary action is vigilance. If your main job is to make sure nothing happens to the object, 照看 is your best bet. If your job is to make the object thrive or recover, choose 照顾 or 照料.

Summary Table

Word	Nuance
照看	Watching/Supervising
照顾	Nurturing/Providing
看管	Guarding/Custody
打理	Managing/Organizing

By diversifying your vocabulary with these alternatives, you can express much more precise meanings. For instance, '打理家务' (managing household chores) is different from '照看家门' (watching the house while everyone is out). Mastering these subtle differences is the hallmark of an advanced learner.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '照' contains the radical for fire (灬) at the bottom, suggesting that looking after something originally required a light source or constant vigilance like keeping a fire burning.

Pronunciation Guide

UK zhào kàn

US zhào kàn

Equal stress on both syllables.

Rhymes With

傲 (ào) 报 (bào) 闹 (nào) 道 (dào) 笑 (xiào) 票 (piào) 要 (yào) 教 (jiào)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'kàn' as 'kān' (1st tone), which changes the meaning or sounds unnatural.
Merging the two syllables too quickly without distinct tone changes.
Confusing the 'zh' sound with a 'j' sound.
Not dropping the pitch enough on the 4th tones.
Mispronouncing 'zhào' as 'zào'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The characters are relatively common and the meaning is straightforward.

Writing 3/5

Writing '照' can be tricky for beginners due to the number of strokes.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce if you master the 4th tone.

Listening 2/5

Commonly heard in public announcements, making it easy to recognize.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

看 (kàn) 照顾 (zhàogù) 好 (hǎo) 帮 (bāng) 孩子 (háizi)

Learn Next

照料 (zhàoliào) 护理 (hùlǐ) 监管 (jiānguǎn) 负责 (fùzé) 保护 (bǎohù)

Advanced

监护 (jiānhù) 看管 (kānguǎn) 悉心 (xīxīn) 托付 (tuōfù)

Grammar to Know

Resultative Complements

照看好 (zhàokàn hǎo) - to have looked after well.

The Durative Marker '着'

他照看着孩子睡觉。 (He is watching the child sleep.)

The Verb '帮' as a helper

我帮你照看。 (I help you look after.)

Reduplication with '一下'

照看一下 (zhàokàn yīxià) - look after for a bit.

Passive with '被'

孩子被奶奶照看着。 (The child is being looked after by grandma.)

Examples by Level

我照看孩子。

I look after the child.

Subject + Verb + Object.

他照看狗。

He looks after the dog.

Simple transitive verb usage.

请照看行李。

Please look after the luggage.

Imperative sentence with 'please'.

谁照看猫？

Who looks after the cat?

Interrogative sentence.

妈妈照看我。

Mom looks after me.

Basic family relationship context.

不要照看。

Don't look after (it).

Negative imperative.

我会照看。

I will look after (it).

Future intent with '会'.

他在照看。

He is looking after (it).

Progressive aspect with '在'.

你能帮我照看一下行李吗？

Can you help me look after my luggage for a moment?

Use of '帮' (help) and '一下' (a bit).

奶奶在家里照看孙子。

Grandmother is looking after her grandson at home.

Specifying location with '在家里'.

请照看好你的钱包。

Please look after your wallet well.

Resultative complement '好'.

我没时间照看宠物。

I don't have time to look after pets.

Verb as an infinitive-like object.

他帮邻居照看房子。

He helps the neighbor look after the house.

Double object structure.

你要仔细照看这些花。

You need to look after these flowers carefully.

Adverbial '仔细' (carefully).

谁在照看生病的爷爷？

Who is looking after the sick grandfather?

Progressive aspect in a question.

别忘了照看火。

Don't forget to look after the fire.

Negative imperative '别忘了'.

出差期间，我把猫托付给朋友照看。

During my business trip, I entrusted my cat to a friend to look after.

Structure: 托付给...照看.

护士正在病房里照看病人。

The nurse is looking after the patients in the ward.

Professional context usage.

她一边看书，一边照看着熟睡的孩子。

She was reading a book while looking after the sleeping child.

Parallel actions with '一边...一边'.

如果没有人照看，这些植物会枯萎的。

If no one looks after them, these plants will wither.

Conditional '如果...的话'.

我们要学会照看自己的身体。

We need to learn to look after our own bodies.

Abstract usage for health.

他非常尽心地照看这片果园。

He looks after this orchard very conscientiously.

Adverbial phrase '非常尽心地'.

请务必照看好您的贵重物品。

Please be sure to look after your valuables.

Formal adverb '务必' (must).

由于疏于照看，孩子在公园里走丢了。

Due to a lack of care, the child got lost in the park.

Formal phrase '疏于照看'.

他暂时放下工作，回家照看年迈的父母。

He temporarily put aside his work and went home to look after his elderly parents.

Complex sentence with serial verbs.

在老板出差的时候，由他来照看店里的生意。

While the boss is on a business trip, he is in charge of looking after the shop's business.

Usage with '生意' (business).

作为一名保育员，她的职责是照看幼儿的饮食起居。

As a childcare worker, her responsibility is to look after the toddlers' daily lives.

Formal occupational description.

这些古迹需要专人照看，以防遭到破坏。

These historical sites need dedicated personnel to look after them to prevent damage.

Purpose clause '以防' (to prevent).

他虽然忙，但还是会抽空照看家里的花园。

Although he is busy, he still makes time to look after the garden at home.

Concessive clause '虽然...但'.

社区志愿者轮流照看那些独居老人。

Community volunteers take turns looking after those elderly people living alone.

Adverb '轮流' (take turns).

在手术后的恢复期，需要有人全天候照看。

During the recovery period after surgery, someone needs to look after the patient 24/7.

Adjective '全天候' (all-weather/round-the-clock).

他不仅要照看自己的孩子，还要照看姐姐的孩子。

He not only has to look after his own children but also his sister's.

Correlative conjunction '不仅...还要'.

他不仅照看着家族的产业，还照看着家族的传统。

He not only looks after the family business but also looks after the family traditions.

Metaphorical usage for 'tradition'.

这位老园丁大半辈子都在照看着这片林子，每一棵树他都熟悉。

This old gardener has spent most of his life looking after this forest; he knows every tree.

Duration of time '大半辈子'.

政府拨出专款，用于照看那些失去双亲的孤儿。

The government allocated special funds for the care of orphans who have lost both parents.

Formal administrative language.

在那个动荡的年代，他始终照看着那批珍贵的文物。

During those turbulent years, he consistently looked after that batch of precious cultural relics.

Historical context usage.

他被委以重任，去照看那个新开发的科研项目。

He was entrusted with the heavy responsibility of looking after the newly developed scientific research project.

Passive-like structure '被委以重任'.

母亲那双照看着我们成长的眼睛，如今已变得浑浊。

My mother's eyes, which watched over us as we grew up, have now become cloudy.

Literary/poetic usage.

法律规定，监护人必须履行照看被监护人的义务。

The law stipulates that a guardian must fulfill the obligation to look after the ward.

Legal terminology.

他默默地照看着这个家，从不抱怨辛苦。

He silently looks after this home, never complaining about the hardship.

Adverb '默默地' (silently).

他在作品中探讨了人类如何照看这颗日益脆弱的星球。

In his work, he explored how humans look after this increasingly fragile planet.

Global/Philosophical scale.

这种精神上的照看，比物质上的给予更为重要。

This kind of spiritual looking-after is more important than material giving.

Abstract noun-like usage.

历史的遗迹在岁月的流逝中，依然被一代代人悉心照看着。

Historical remains, through the passage of time, are still being meticulously looked after by generations.

Passive voice with '被'.

他以一种近乎虔诚的态度照看着实验室里的每一个样本。

He looks after every sample in the lab with an almost pious attitude.

Simile usage '近乎虔诚'.

这种文化的承袭，本质上是对民族灵魂的照看。

This cultural inheritance is essentially the looking-after of the nation's soul.

High-level ontological discussion.

在权力的巅峰，他依然不忘照看那些曾经提携过他的旧部。

At the height of power, he still did not forget to look after the old subordinates who had once supported him.

Political/Social nuance.

他的一生都在照看着那座孤岛上的灯塔，与孤独为伴。

His whole life was spent looking after the lighthouse on that lonely island, accompanied by solitude.

Narrative/Symbolic usage.

这种照看并非出于义务，而是源于内心深处的一种大爱。

This looking-after is not out of obligation, but stems from a profound love deep within the heart.

Contrastive structure '并非...而是'.

Common Collocations

照看孩子

照看行李

照看病人

照看宠物

照看门户

照看生意

照看火候

细心照看

疏于照看

专人照看

Common Phrases

照看好

— To look after successfully or properly.

一定要照看好你的钱包。

照看下

— Under the care of.

在老师的照看下，学生们很安全。

帮忙照看

— To help look after (a common favor).

你能帮忙照看一会儿吗？

负责照看

— To be responsible for looking after.

他负责照看这间办公室。

轮流照看

— To take turns looking after.

我们轮流照看生病的室友。

暂时照看

— To look after temporarily.

我只是暂时照看这只狗。

悉心照看

— To look after with great care.

这些幼苗需要悉心照看。

无人照看

— Unattended / No one looking after.

行李不能无人照看。

独自照看

— To look after alone.

她一个人独自照看三个孩子。

托人照看

— To ask/entrust someone to look after.

我把孩子托人照看了。

Often Confused With

照看 vs 照顾 (zhàogù)

照顾 is more about overall nurturing, while 照看 is more about watching/supervising.

照看 vs 看着 (kànzhe)

看着 just means watching, while 照看 implies taking responsibility.

照看 vs 看见 (kànjiàn)

看见 means 'to see' (result), not 'to look after'.

Idioms & Expressions

"关怀备至"

— To be extremely thoughtful and caring (though broader than just 照看).

他对病人关怀备至。

Formal

"无微不至"

— Meticulous care; in every possible way.

母亲对他照看得无微不至。

Neutral

"嘘寒问暖"

— To inquire after someone's well-being (showing care).

邻居们经常对他嘘寒问暖。

Neutral

"守望相助"

— Neighbors helping each other and keeping watch.

邻里之间应该守望相助。

Formal

"尽心尽力"

— To do one's heart and soul; to do one's utmost.

他尽心尽力地照看这些孤儿。

Neutral

"一丝不苟"

— Not one thread loose; very meticulous.

他照看实验设备一丝不苟。

Formal

"寸步不离"

— Not to leave someone's side for a step; very close watch.

她寸步不离地照看着生病的孩子。

Neutral

"任劳任怨"

— To work hard despite criticism or hardship.

他任劳任怨地照看着这个大家庭。

Neutral

"体贴入微"

— Showing every possible consideration.

他的照看真是体贴入微。

Neutral

"保驾护航"

— To escort and protect (often used for projects or growth).

老师为我们的成长保驾护航。

Formal/Metaphorical

Easily Confused

照看 vs 照管

Sounds very similar.

照管 is slightly more formal and implies management (like 照管生意). 照看 is more common for physical watching.

他负责照管这家工厂。

照看 vs 看守

Both involve watching.

看守 implies guarding something to prevent it from escaping or being stolen (like a prisoner or a treasure).

警察在看守大门。

照看 vs 照应

Similar 'zhao' start.

照应 often means to coordinate or look after someone's needs in a social/logistical way.

出门在外，大家要互相照应。

照看 vs 看护

Both mean look after.

看护 is more specific to nursing or professional medical watching.

他在医院做看护工作。

照看 vs 照看

Self-reference.

Focus on the 'vigilance' and 'temporary responsibility' aspect.

帮我照看行李。

Sentence Patterns

S + 照看 + O

他照看狗。

帮我 + 照看 + 一下 + O

帮我照看一下包。

一边 + V1 + 一边 + 照看 + O

一边看电视一边照看孩子。

照看 + 好 + O

照看好你的东西。

由 + Person + 负责 + 照看 + O

由他负责照看这间房。

由于 + 疏于照看 + ...

由于疏于照看，花死了。

悉心 + 照看 + O

她悉心照看着这些古董。

对...的照看

这是对传统文化的照看。

Word Family

Nouns

照看者 (zhàokànzhě - caregiver/watcher)

看护妇 (kānhùfù - nurse, dated)

Verbs

看 (kàn - to look)

照顾 (zhàogù - to care for)

照应 (zhàoyìng - to look after/coordinate)

照料 (zhàoliào - to tend to)

Adjectives

细心的 (xìxīn de - careful)

尽责的 (jìnzé de - responsible)

照顾

看护

照料

打理

护理

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in both spoken and written Chinese.

Common Mistakes

Using '照看' for 'looking for' something lost. → 使用 '找' (zhǎo) or '寻找' (xúnzhǎo).
照看 means to watch over something you already have, not to search for something you've lost.
Confusing '照看' with '看' (to read). → 使用 '看书' (kànshū) for reading.
While '看' can mean to read, '照看' never does. You don't '照看' a book unless you are guarding it in a museum.
Using '照看' instead of '照顾' for long-term health care. → 使用 '照顾' (zhàogù).
照看 implies watching. If you are providing medicine, food, and therapy, '照顾' is much better.
Saying '照看照看'. → 使用 '照看一下' (zhàokàn yīxià).
Some verbs can be reduplicated (like 看看), but 照看 is rarely reduplicated this way. Use '一下' for the brief version.
Using '照看' for managing a team. → 使用 '管理' (guǎnlǐ).
Managers 'manage' teams; they don't 'look after' them like children.

Tips

Use '一下' for Politeness

When asking someone to look after something, adding '一下' (yīxià) makes the task sound smaller and the request more polite.

Pair with '好'

Always use '照看好' when you want to emphasize that the looking after should be done successfully or carefully.

Trust Building

Asking a neighbor to 照看 your house is a great way to build trust and community in China.

Public Announcements

If you hear '照看' in a train station, check your bags immediately!

照看 vs 照顾

Remember: 照看 = Watch/Supervise. 照顾 = Nurture/Provide.

Stroke Order

Pay attention to the four dots in '照'. They are written from left to right, with the first dot tipping left and the others tipping right.

Tone Mastery

Both characters are 4th tone. Practice them like a double chop: ZHAO! KAN!

Context Clues

If the object is luggage or a child, it's almost certainly '照看'.

Beyond the Word

Learn '无微不至' to describe someone who looks after others extremely well.

Not for Managers

Don't use 照看 for managing employees; use 管理 (guǎnlǐ) instead.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine you are holding a flashlight (照) and looking (看) at your luggage in a dark station to make sure it's safe.

Visual Association

Picture a lighthouse 'shining' (照) its light to 'watch' (看) over the ships.

Word Web

孩子行李病人宠物房子火店花

Challenge

Try to use '照看' in a sentence today when asking a friend to watch your phone or bag for a second.

Word Origin

The word is a compound of '照' (shine/reflect) and '看' (look). Historically, '照' implied using a light or a mirror to observe, while '看' is the general act of vision.

Original meaning: To observe by shining a light or keeping in view.

Sino-Tibetan

Cultural Context

Be careful not to use 照看 for high-level management of people (like a CEO managing staff); it can sound patronizing, as if the staff are children or objects.

In English, 'look after' can be very broad. In Chinese, 照看 is slightly more focused on the physical 'watching' aspect compared to '照顾'.

Classic Chinese literature often uses 照看 to describe faithful servants guarding a household. Modern Chinese TV dramas frequently feature grandparents 照看 children while parents work. The phrase '照看好自己' is a common way to say 'take care of yourself' in letters.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Airport/Station

照看行李
照看好随身物品
请人照看
无人照看

At Home

照看孩子
照看宠物
照看老人
照看房子

In a Hospital

照看病人
照看伤口
全天照看
细心照看

In a Garden/Farm

照看花草
照看果园
照看牲畜
照看庄稼

In Business

照看店面
照看摊位
照看生意
照看柜台

Conversation Starters

"你能帮我照看一会儿行李吗？"

"你在家主要照看谁？"

"照看孩子累不累？"

"如果你不在家，谁帮你照看花？"

"在火车站，为什么要照看好自己的东西？"

Journal Prompts

描述一次你帮别人照看东西的经历。

你觉得照看孩子最难的地方是什么？

写一写你是如何照看你的宠物的。

如果让你去照看一个农场，你会怎么做？

讨论一下现代社会中，照看老人的责任应该由谁承担。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, you don't 'look after' homework in Chinese. You 'do' (做) or 'check' (检查) homework. 照看 is for things that need supervision to stay safe.

Yes, it is very common. It means staying with them to make sure they are okay. However, for medical treatment, use 照顾 or 护理.

看 is just 'to look.' 照看 is 'to look after.' If you '看' a child, you are just looking at them. If you '照看' a child, you are responsible for them.

Yes, '照看房子' means house-sitting or keeping an eye on it while the owners are away.

It is common in China, but always use '请' (please) and '帮我' (help me) to be polite. '请帮我照看一下行李' is the standard phrase.

Not necessarily. It implies responsibility and vigilance. '照顾' is more likely to imply emotional care and love.

Yes, '照看花草' is very common. It means watering them and making sure they don't die.

It is neutral. It can be used in both casual speech and formal announcements.

Yes, it means taking care of yourself, often used when saying goodbye: '照看好自己' (Look after yourself well).

The most common opposite would be '忽视' (neglect) or '不管' (not care about).