Use '看起来' to describe how something or someone appears or seems.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Expresses appearance or impression.
- Used for guessing or judging.
- Very common in daily conversations.
Overview
“看起来”是一个非常常用的汉语动词，用来表达观察到的现象或主观的判断。它连接了主语（观察者或被观察者）和对其状态、外貌或可能性的描述。在日常交流中，它起着描述和推测的重要作用，帮助人们表达不确定的信息或初步的印象。
“看起来”的基本结构是：主语 + 看起来 + 形容词/名词/句子/动词短语。它可以用于描述外貌（例如：他看起来很高兴），推测情况（例如：天看起来要下雨了），或者表达一种感觉（例如：这听起来不错）。有时也可以省略主语，尤其是在对话中，当上下文清晰时。
这个词在各种日常情境中都很常见，比如：
**对情况的判断**：听到一个消息，可以说：“这个消息听起来不太好。”
“看起来”与“好像”、“似乎”、“显得”等词语在某些情况下意思相近，但用法略有不同。
- 好像：比“看起来”更口语化，有时带有不确定性，可以指外貌，也可以指情况。例如：“他好像没来。”
- 似乎：比“看起来”更书面化一些，也表示推测或不确定。例如：“似乎有道理。”
- 显得：更侧重于外在表现出来的某种特质或状态，常用于描述人的状态或气质。例如：“他显得很有经验。”
“看起来”是最常用且通用的表达，涵盖了外貌、状态和情况的推测。
Examples
他看起来很开心。
everydayHe looks very happy.
这件衣服看起来很漂亮。
everydayThis piece of clothing looks very beautiful.
天看起来要下雨了。
everydayIt looks like it's going to rain.
这个计划听起来不错，但执行起来可能会遇到困难。
informalThis plan sounds good, but it might be difficult to execute.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
看起来怎么样？
How does it look? / How does it seem?
看起来不像
doesn't look like
看起来有点...
looks a bit...
Often Confused With
'好像' is more about guessing or assuming something is true, often without direct visual evidence. '看起来' is more about the visual impression or outward appearance.
'似乎' is similar to '好像' but often sounds slightly more formal or literary. It also implies a degree of uncertainty or inference.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Generally used in informal and neutral contexts. While it can be used in formal settings to express a preliminary observation, more formal vocabulary might be preferred for definitive statements. It is very common in spoken Chinese.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '看起来' (looks like) with verbs describing other senses like '听起来' (sounds like) or '吃起来' (tastes like). Always ensure the context matches the verb.
Tips
Observe and Infer
Use '看起来' when you observe something and make a guess about it. It connects your observation to your conclusion.
Avoid Overuse
While common, relying too heavily on '看起来' might make your expression sound less precise. Consider synonyms in formal contexts.
Expressing Uncertainty
In Chinese culture, directly stating uncertain opinions as facts can be impolite. '看起来' allows for a softer, more indirect way of expressing your thoughts.
Word Origin
The word '看起来' is formed by combining the verb '看' (kàn - to look, to see) with the directional complement '起来' (qǐlái - up, indicates the beginning or continuation of an action, or something appearing). Together, they signify 'what appears when one looks'.
Cultural Context
Expressing observations with '看起来' allows speakers to present their judgments or guesses gently, which aligns with the cultural preference for indirect communication and avoiding strong, potentially confrontational statements.
Memory Tip
Think of '看' (to look) and '起来' (to rise/start) combined to mean 'what looking up reveals' or 'what appears upon looking'.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“看起来”主要指通过视觉观察得出的印象或推测，也可以泛指给人的感觉。而“好像”则更侧重于不确定的推测，不一定需要视觉观察，可以指情况、声音等。
“看起来”后面可以跟形容词（看起来很好）、名词（看起来像个专家）、动词短语（看起来很累）或者整个句子（看起来他不想来）。
当你想要描述某人或某物的样子、状态，或者对某个情况进行推测但不是十分确定时，都可以使用“看起来”。
“看起来”在日常口语和非正式场合使用非常普遍。在一些相对正式的场合，如果表达的是一种初步的、非绝对的判断，也可以使用，但更正式的书面语可能会选择“似乎”或“显得”。
Test Yourself
外面______要下雨了，我们快回家吧。
根据上下文，这里描述的是天气的样子，所以用“看起来”最合适。
他看起来很累。
“看起来很累”描述的是外表状态，“看起来很疲惫”意思相同。
他 / 今天的 / 很高兴 / 看起来
“看起来”后面直接跟描述的状态“今天很高兴”，符合句子结构。
Score: /3
Summary
Use '看起来' to describe how something or someone appears or seems.
- Expresses appearance or impression.
- Used for guessing or judging.
- Very common in daily conversations.
Observe and Infer
Use '看起来' when you observe something and make a guess about it. It connects your observation to your conclusion.
Avoid Overuse
While common, relying too heavily on '看起来' might make your expression sound less precise. Consider synonyms in formal contexts.
Expressing Uncertainty
In Chinese culture, directly stating uncertain opinions as facts can be impolite. '看起来' allows for a softer, more indirect way of expressing your thoughts.
Examples
4 of 4他看起来很开心。
He looks very happy.
这件衣服看起来很漂亮。
This piece of clothing looks very beautiful.
天看起来要下雨了。
It looks like it's going to rain.
这个计划听起来不错，但执行起来可能会遇到困难。
This plan sounds good, but it might be difficult to execute.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More general words
一下儿
A1a bit, a moment
点儿
A1a little bit
有点儿
A1a little, somewhat (negative connotation)
一下
A2A bit; a moment (used after a verb).
异样
B1different; unusual; strange
关于
A1about, concerning
快要
A2to be about to (happen)
大约
B1Used to show that a number or amount is not exact; approximately.
上边
A2above, on top
上面
A1on, above, over
