unknown, 12 strokes, radical 目, rank #89583, Very Hard
睇
dì
to see
unknown, 12 strokes, radical 目, rank #89583, Very Hard
睇
dì
to look at (Cantonese)
unknown, 12 strokes, radical 目, rank #89583, Very Hard
睇
dì
Mandarin equivalent: 看[kan4]
unknown, 12 strokes, radical 目, rank #89583, Very Hard
dì(di4) T4
1to glance, to look, to stare
2to look down upon (classical)
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March 24, 2026
睇dì(di4)
The character 睇 (dì) primarily means 'to glance' or 'to look.' It is often used in colloquial contexts, particularly in Cantonese, where it is synonymous with the Mandarin 看 (kàn). While it can also imply looking down upon someone in classical literature, its modern usage is more straightforward.
Strokes12Radical目Frequency#89583DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Cantonese-speaking regions, such as Hong Kong, 睇 is commonly used in everyday conversations, highlighting the importance of regional dialects in understanding Chinese culture.
Memory Tip
Imagine a big eye (目) looking down (俯) at something, symbolizing both 'to see' and 'to look down upon.' The character 睇 consists of the eye radical 目, representing sight, and the rest gives a sense of direction or focus.
Meanings of 睇
dì(di4)
1to glance, to look, to stare
2to look down upon (classical)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 睇
睇Simplified
12Strokes
目Radical
动语素dòngcíverb root (v.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 睇
Podcast: 睇
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AI Study Notes for 睇
Quick Contrast
看 (kàn) - use 睇 (dì) in colloquial Cantonese contexts, while 看 (kàn) is more standard in Mandarin.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a big eye (目) looking down (俯) at something, symbolizing both 'to see' and 'to look down upon.' The character 睇 consists of the eye radical 目, representing sight, and the rest gives a sense of direction or focus.
Usage Notes
Be careful when using 睇, as it is primarily a Cantonese term and may not be understood by all Mandarin speakers. It's informal, so it's best used in casual conversations rather than formal writing. Common collocations include 睇电视 (to watch TV) and 睇书 (to read a book).
HSK Study Tips
Though not included in HSK lists, understanding 睇 can enhance your grasp of Cantonese expressions. Focus on its usage in conversational contexts to broaden your understanding of regional variations of Chinese.
Cultural Note
In Cantonese-speaking regions, such as Hong Kong, 睇 is commonly used in everyday conversations, highlighting the importance of regional dialects in understanding Chinese culture.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 睇 with 看, assuming they are interchangeable in all contexts. For example, saying '我想睇书' in a Mandarin setting might confuse native speakers; instead, use '我想看书'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 睇
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Cultural Notes for 睇
🏮Cultural insight
In Cantonese-speaking regions, such as Hong Kong, 睇 is commonly used in everyday conversations, highlighting the importance of regional dialects in understanding Chinese culture.
Word Family of 睇
Words Containing This Character1
睇dìto see
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 睇 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 睇
No, 睇 is primarily a Cantonese word; in Mandarin, the equivalent is 看.
It's best to avoid using 睇 in formal contexts as it is more informal and colloquial.
In classical usage, 睇 can imply a sense of superiority or disdain when referring to looking at someone.
