Meanings of 观望
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 观望
Podcast: 观望
Podcast: 观望
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 观望
观察 (guānchá) - use 观望 when emphasizing a passive stance of waiting, while 观察 focuses on active observation or scrutiny.
Learners often confuse 观望 with 观察 (guan1 cha2), which means to observe closely rather than just watch from a distance. 观望 is more informal and can be used in casual conversations, while in formal contexts, you might use more specific terms. Pay attention to the tone; 观 (guan) is pronounced with a high level tone, while 望 (wang) has a falling tone.
Though not an HSK vocabulary word, 观望 can be connected to HSK Level 3 words like 看 (kan) meaning 'to see' and 等 (deng3) meaning 'to wait.' Students should focus on the meanings of the components and practice using them in various contexts to strengthen their understanding.
Learners may mistakenly use 观望 to imply active observation, when it actually means passive waiting. For example, saying '我在观望市场变化' (I am observing market changes) could be confusing; instead, clarify that you are waiting to act based on those changes.
Pronunciation of 观望
Drill the tone of 观望 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Component Characters
How to say to wait and see in Chinese
“to wait and see” in Chinese is观望
The term 观望 (guan1 wang4) refers to the act of observing a situation without actively participating in it, often to assess potential outcomes before making a decision. It is commonly used in contexts such as business, politics, or personal relationships where caution is advised. The nuance implies a sense of waiting for more information or clarity before taking action.
When to use 观望
Learners often confuse 观望 with 观察 (guan1 cha2), which means to observe closely rather than just watch from a distance. 观望 is more informal and can be used in casual conversations, while in formal contexts, you might use more specific terms. Pay attention to the tone; 观 (guan) is pronounced with a high level tone, while 望 (wang) has a falling tone.
观望 or something close to it
观察 (guānchá) - use 观望 when emphasizing a passive stance of waiting, while 观察 focuses on active observation or scrutiny.
What learners get wrong
Learners may mistakenly use 观望 to imply active observation, when it actually means passive waiting. For example, saying '我在观望市场变化' (I am observing market changes) could be confusing; instead, clarify that you are waiting to act based on those changes.
Write 观望
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 观望 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions about 观望
It is generally more informal and is best used in conversational contexts, though it can appear in informal written communication.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 观望?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.