看 vs 见 vs 望
看 vs 见 vs 望: Different Ways to "See" in Chinese
Quick Summary
看 is active looking; 见 is perceiving/meeting; 望 is gazing into the distance or hoping.
Detailed Breakdown
kàn / kān
To look at, to watch, to read
Grammar Pattern
看 + Object (active viewing)Examples
看书
kàn shū
read a book
看电影
kàn diànyǐng
watch a movie
看一看
kàn yi kàn
take a look
jiàn / xiàn
To see (result), to meet, to perceive
Grammar Pattern
看见 (see) / 见面 (meet) / 见 as result complementExamples
看见
kànjiàn
to see (look + perceive)
见面
jiànmiàn
to meet (in person)
再见
zàijiàn
goodbye (see again)
wàng
To gaze, to look far, to hope
Grammar Pattern
望 + far object / 希望 (hope)Examples
希望
xīwàng
to hope
望着窗外
wàng zhe chuāngwài
gazing out the window
看望
kànwàng
to visit (someone)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | 看 | 见 | 望 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core meaning | actively look | perceive/meet | gaze far/hope |
| Focus | the action | the result | distance/future |
| Common use | 看书、看电影 | 看见、见面 | 希望、望着 |
| Register | everyday | everyday | literary/formal |
Memory Tips
- 看 has 手 (hand) over 目 (eye) - shielding eyes to LOOK actively
- 见 is simplified 目 - the result of seeing, what the eye PERCEIVES
- 望 has 月 (moon) - GAZING at the distant moon, HOPING
Common Mistakes
Reading is active - use 看, not 见
For meeting someone, use 见
For gazing at distant objects, 望 is more literary
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 看 and 看见?
看 is the action of looking; 看见 is the result of seeing (look + perceive). 我看了但没看见 = I looked but didn't see it.
When do I use 望?
望 is more literary/formal. Use it for: gazing at distant things (望着远方), hoping (希望), or visiting someone (看望). In daily speech, 看 is more common.
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