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March 24, 2026
眼看()yǎnkàn(yan3kan4)
眼看 (yǎn kàn) means to observe something happening or to witness an event as it unfolds. It conveys a sense of immediacy or urgency, often implying that the situation is about to change or that something significant is about to occur.
Frequency#10213DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being an observer of a significant event, such as a festival or family gathering, is often valued, and the phrase 眼看 reflects the importance of being present and engaged in these moments.
Memory Tip
Imagine standing on the edge of a cliff, watching a sunset; you can 'see' (眼) it with your eyes (看) and feel that it’s about to disappear. The characters combine to evoke the sense of being a spectator to a fleeting moment.
Meanings of 眼看
yǎnkàn(yan3kan4)
1soon
2in a moment
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About 眼看
眼看Simplified
Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 眼看
Podcast: 眼看
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AI Study Notes for 眼看
Quick Contrast
目睹 (mùdǔ) - use 眼看 for a sense of immediacy or urgency, while 目睹 emphasizes having witnessed something in a more detached manner.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine standing on the edge of a cliff, watching a sunset; you can 'see' (眼) it with your eyes (看) and feel that it’s about to disappear. The characters combine to evoke the sense of being a spectator to a fleeting moment.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 眼看 with similar expressions like 看 (kàn) or 看到 (kàn dào), which do not carry the same immediacy. It's generally used in informal contexts, often to emphasize a dramatic change occurring soon.
HSK Study Tips
While not an HSK vocabulary word, it can be linked to HSK Level 3 words like 看 (kàn) and 眼 (yǎn). Focus on understanding the nuances of context in which 眼看 is used, especially in conversational Mandarin.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being an observer of a significant event, such as a festival or family gathering, is often valued, and the phrase 眼看 reflects the importance of being present and engaged in these moments.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 眼看 with similar expressions and may misuse it in formal contexts. For example, saying '我眼看到了这个问题' (Wǒ yǎn kàn dào le zhège wèntí) is incorrect; it should be '我看到了这个问题' (Wǒ kàn dào le zhège wèntí).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 眼看
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Cultural Notes for 眼看
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, being an observer of a significant event, such as a festival or family gathering, is often valued, and the phrase 眼看 reflects the importance of being present and engaged in these moments.
Frequently Asked Questions about 眼看
No, 眼看 is typically used in spoken or informal contexts.
Yes, but it is usually used to emphasize what is happening right now or is about to happen.
眼看 emphasizes the immediacy and ongoing nature of the observation, while 看到 simply means 'to see'.
