别看 (bié kàn) means 'don't look' or 'don't pay attention to.' It is often used to advise someone not to focus on something that may be misleading or distracting. This phrase can also imply that what is being observed is not as it seems, encouraging critical thinking.
HSK 7, Very Hard
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March 24, 2026
别看()biékàn(bie2kan4)
别看 (bié kàn) means 'don't look' or 'don't pay attention to.' It is often used to advise someone not to focus on something that may be misleading or distracting. This phrase can also imply that what is being observed is not as it seems, encouraging critical thinking.
Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, there's often a focus on not judging things by appearances. 别看 reflects this idea of being cautious about what one observes, highlighting a cultural value of deeper understanding.
Memory Tip
Imagine a friend telling you, '别 (bié)' sounds like 'be careful' and '看 (kàn)' means 'look.' Visualize a sign that says 'Be careful not to look at this!' to remember that 别看 advises against looking at something.
About 别看
别看Simplified
Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
连词连词conjunction (conj.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 别看
Podcast: 别看
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AI Study Notes for 别看
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a friend telling you, '别 (bié)' sounds like 'be careful' and '看 (kàn)' means 'look.' Visualize a sign that says 'Be careful not to look at this!' to remember that 别看 advises against looking at something.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include using 别看 in overly formal situations; it is more informal and conversational. Be cautious of tone—using a harsh tone might sound rude. Typical collocations include 别看电视 (don't watch TV) or 别看我 (don't look at me).
HSK Study Tips
While 别看 is not an HSK vocabulary word, it connects with HSK Level 2 verbs such as 看 (kàn - to look) and other negation forms. Students should focus on the context of negation and how it modifies verbs.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, there's often a focus on not judging things by appearances. 别看 reflects this idea of being cautious about what one observes, highlighting a cultural value of deeper understanding.
Common Mistakes
Learners often say 别看错了 (don't look wrongly) when they mean 'don't misunderstand,' which is incorrect. The correct usage should focus on visual attention, like 别看我 (don't look at me).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 别看
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Cultural Notes for 别看
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, there's often a focus on not judging things by appearances. 别看 reflects this idea of being cautious about what one observes, highlighting a cultural value of deeper understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions about 别看
It's best to avoid using 别看 in formal contexts as it is more suited for casual conversations.
Primarily, yes, but it can also imply not to focus on negative or distracting thoughts.
You can say 别看这个电影, meaning 'Don't watch this movie.'
