看 (kàn) — to look at; to watch; to read

看 (kàn)

看 covers a wide range of visual activities. It means "to look at" (general), "to watch" (TV, a film, a performance), and "to read" (books, newspapers). Context makes the meaning clear.

Meanings

1. [verb] To look at, to see (directing your gaze at something).
2. [verb] To watch (a screen, a show, a game).
3. [verb] To read (books, newspapers, documents).

Example Sentences

我晚上喜欢看电视。 Wǒ wǎnshang xǐhuān kàn diànshì. I like to watch TV in the evening.

他在看一本书。 Tā zài kàn yī běn shū. He is reading a book.

你看！那是什么？ Nǐ kàn! Nà shì shénme? Look! What is that?

我们去看电影吧。 Wǒmen qù kàn diànyǐng ba. Let's go watch a movie.

Collocations

Memory Hook

看 has a hand (手) over an eye (目), like someone shading their eyes to look into the distance. You hand-over-eye look at things.