HSK 4, v, 9 strokes, radical 见, rank #29350, Medium
览
lǎn
to view
HSK 4, v, 9 strokes, radical 见, rank #29350, Medium
览
lǎn
to read
HSK 4, v, 9 strokes, radical 见, rank #29350, Medium
览
lǎn
to look over, to inspect, to view, to perceive
HSK 4, v, 9 strokes, radical 见, rank #29350, Medium
lǎn(lan3) T3
1to look at
2to view
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
览(覽)lǎn(lan3)
The character 览 (lǎn) means 'to look at' or 'to view.' It is commonly used in contexts where someone inspects or reads something, such as looking over documents or viewing art. This character often conveys a sense of careful observation or examination.
Strokes9Radical见Frequency#29350DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of 览 is often associated with appreciation of art and literature, emphasizing the value placed on careful observation and understanding, especially in traditional settings like museums or during literary readings.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person standing on a high cliff, looking down at a vast landscape. The character 览 resembles a person gazing out (the horizontal line at the top is like the horizon), and the 'l' sound in 'lǎn' can remind you of 'land' as they survey the land below.
Meanings of 览
lǎn(lan3)
1to look at
2to view
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 览
览Simplified
覽Traditional
9Strokes
见Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#29350Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4
Podcast: 览
Podcast: 览
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 览
Quick Contrast
观 (guān) - use 览 (lǎn) when emphasizing careful observation, while 观 (guān) is broader and can imply general viewing or watching.
Usage Notes
Be cautious of the context in which you use 览, as it is more formal than just '看' (kàn, to see). It often appears in written language, such as in titles of articles or exhibitions. A common collocation is '浏览' (liú lǎn, to browse).
HSK Study Tips
Although 览 is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, it can be helpful to connect it with words like '看' (kàn) and '读' (dú) at the HSK 1-3 levels. Focus on its usage in reading and viewing contexts to enrich your vocabulary.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 览 with 看 (kàn), using it in casual conversation incorrectly. For instance, saying '我去览书' (wǒ qù lǎn shū) instead of '我去看书' (wǒ qù kàn shū) is incorrect; the latter is more appropriate for casual reading.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 览
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 览 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 览? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 览?
Decomposition of 览
IDS Structure⿱？见
览Full Character
=
见jian4
top
Exercise 1 of 1
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 览?
How to say to look at in Chinese
“to look at” in Chinese is览lǎn
The character 览 (lǎn) means 'to look at' or 'to view.' It is commonly used in contexts where someone inspects or reads something, such as looking over documents or viewing art. This character often conveys a sense of careful observation or examination.
When to use 览
Be cautious of the context in which you use 览, as it is more formal than just '看' (kàn, to see). It often appears in written language, such as in titles of articles or exhibitions. A common collocation is '浏览' (liú lǎn, to browse).
览 or something close to it
观 (guān) - use 览 (lǎn) when emphasizing careful observation, while 观 (guān) is broader and can imply general viewing or watching.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 览 with 看 (kàn), using it in casual conversation incorrectly. For instance, saying '我去览书' (wǒ qù lǎn shū) instead of '我去看书' (wǒ qù kàn shū) is incorrect; the latter is more appropriate for casual reading.
Write 览
览
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 览 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 览
览 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
