Meanings of 看望
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Podcast: 看望
Podcast: 看望
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AI study notes for 看望
探望 (tànwàng) - use 看望 (kànwàng) when the visit implies goodwill or care, while 探望 (tànwàng) can be more neutral or formal.
While 看望 is generally used in a polite context, learners sometimes confuse it with just 'visiting' (访问, fǎngwèn), which can imply a more formal or official visit. It's important to use 看望 in informal and friendly settings. Note the tones: '看' (kàn) is the fourth tone and '望' (wàng) is the fourth tone as well.
As an HSK Level 5 word, 看望 connects with other verbs related to social interactions and visiting, such as 访问 (fǎngwèn). Students should focus on using it in sentences that express visiting friends or family to enhance conversational skills.
Learners often confuse 看望 with 访问; for example, saying '我去访问我的朋友' (Wǒ qù fǎngwèn wǒ de péngyǒu) is incorrect in informal contexts. The correct expression for visiting a friend is '看望'.
Pronunciation of 看望
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Component characters
How to say to visit in Chinese
“to visit” in Chinese is看望
看望 (kànwàng) means 'to visit' or 'to pay a call to' someone, typically implying a sense of care or concern for the person being visited. This verb is often used in contexts where one expresses goodwill, such as visiting family, friends, or those who are ill. It carries a nuance of being considerate and shows a relationship between the visitor and the host.
When to use 看望
While 看望 is generally used in a polite context, learners sometimes confuse it with just 'visiting' (访问, fǎngwèn), which can imply a more formal or official visit. It's important to use 看望 in informal and friendly settings. Note the tones: '看' (kàn) is the fourth tone and '望' (wàng) is the fourth tone as well.
看望 or something close to it
探望 (tànwàng) - use 看望 (kànwàng) when the visit implies goodwill or care, while 探望 (tànwàng) can be more neutral or formal.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 看望 with 访问; for example, saying '我去访问我的朋友' (Wǒ qù fǎngwèn wǒ de péngyǒu) is incorrect in informal contexts. The correct expression for visiting a friend is '看望'.
Write 看望
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Grammar patterns of 看望
看望 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 2 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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
他怎么也不会等到谁要来____他。
He would never have expected that anyone would come to visit him.
Example sentences for 看望 (5)
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Frequently asked questions about 看望
No, 看望 is typically reserved for personal visits. For business contexts, use 访问 (fǎngwèn) instead.
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