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观赏 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
观赏guānshǎngto look at sth with pleasureHSK 6, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #10433, Hard
观赏guānshǎngto watch (sth marvelous)HSK 6, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #10433, Hard
观赏guānshǎngornamentalHSK 6, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #10433, Hard
guānshǎng(guan1shang3)guan shang T1
  1. 1to look at sth with pleasure
  2. 2to watch (sth marvelous)
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March 24, 2026

观赏(觀賞)guānshǎng(guan1shang3)

观赏 means to look at or appreciate something, particularly in a way that brings pleasure or enjoyment. It is commonly used in contexts such as viewing art, nature, or performances, emphasizing the aesthetic or delightful aspects of the experience.

Strokes18Frequency#10433DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, 观赏 is often associated with traditional arts such as calligraphy and painting, highlighting the cultural value placed on appreciating beauty in various forms. Festivals often involve activities centered around 观赏, such as lantern festivals or cherry blossom viewings.

Memory tip

Think of 观 (guan) as a 'viewing' eye and 赏 (shang) as 'appreciation' or 'reward'. Imagine standing in front of a beautiful painting, your eyes wide with wonder, feeling rewarded by its beauty. This visual connects the characters to the idea of enjoying and appreciating something visually.

Meanings of 观赏

guānshǎng(guan1shang3)
1to look at sth with pleasure
2to watch (sth marvelous)
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About 观赏

观赏Simplified
觀賞Traditional
18Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 观赏

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AI study notes for 观赏

Quick Contrast

欣赏 (xīnshǎng) vs 观看 (guānkàn) — choose 观赏 when emphasizing enjoyment and aesthetic appreciation, while 欣赏 also implies a deeper understanding or admiration, and 观看 focuses more on the act of watching without the same pleasure connotation.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 观赏 with just '看' (to see), but 观赏 implies a deeper level of appreciation. It’s generally used in more formal contexts, such as describing art exhibitions or scenic views. Be mindful of the tones; mispronouncing them can change the meaning.

HSK Study Tips

While 观赏 is not specifically part of any HSK level, it connects with vocabulary about nature and aesthetics. Students should focus on using it in contexts where they discuss beauty or enjoyment, linking it with words like '风景' (fengjing - scenery) or '艺术' (yishu - art).

Common Mistakes

Learners often use 观赏 in informal contexts where a simpler verb like 看 would suffice, such as saying '我观赏电视' instead of '我看电视'. Remember to use 观赏 for experiences that involve enjoyment or appreciation.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 观赏

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Component characters

观guānto look at
HSK 36 strokes见
View full entry
赏shǎngto bestow (a reward)
HSK 512 strokes贝
View full entry

How to say to look at sth with pleasure in Chinese

“to look at sth with pleasure” in Chinese is观赏guānshǎng

观赏 means to look at or appreciate something, particularly in a way that brings pleasure or enjoyment. It is commonly used in contexts such as viewing art, nature, or performances, emphasizing the aesthetic or delightful aspects of the experience.

When to use 观赏

Learners often confuse 观赏 with just '看' (to see), but 观赏 implies a deeper level of appreciation. It’s generally used in more formal contexts, such as describing art exhibitions or scenic views. Be mindful of the tones; mispronouncing them can change the meaning.

观赏 or something close to it

欣赏 (xīnshǎng) vs 观看 (guānkàn) — choose 观赏 when emphasizing enjoyment and aesthetic appreciation, while 欣赏 also implies a deeper understanding or admiration, and 观看 focuses more on the act of watching without the same pleasure connotation.

What learners get wrong

Learners often use 观赏 in informal contexts where a simpler verb like 看 would suffice, such as saying '我观赏电视' instead of '我看电视'. Remember to use 观赏 for experiences that involve enjoyment or appreciation.

Write 观赏

观
赏

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Frequently asked questions about 观赏

观赏 implies a deeper appreciation or enjoyment of something visually, while 看 simply means to look or see.

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