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小看 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
小看xiǎokànto look down onHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #11455, Very Hard
小看xiǎokànto underestimateHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #11455, Very Hard
xiǎokàn(xiao3kan4)xiao kan T3
  1. 1to look down on
  2. 2to underestimate
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March 24, 2026

小看xiǎokàn(xiao3kan4)

小看 (xiǎo kàn) means to look down on someone or something, often implying a lack of respect or an underestimation of their abilities or importance. It is commonly used in situations where one person undervalues another's skills or contributions, leading to potential conflict or misunderstanding.

Strokes12Frequency#11455DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, showing respect is paramount, and 小看 can be seen as a significant social faux pas. Underestimating someone's abilities may lead to loss of face, which is a crucial aspect of interpersonal relationships.

Memory Tip

Imagine a small person (小, xiǎo) peering down from a tall building, looking at others below with disdain. This image connects the character 小, meaning 'small,' to the act of looking down (看, kàn) on others, helping you remember the meaning and pronunciation.

Meanings of 小看

xiǎokàn(xiao3kan4)
1to look down on
2to underestimate
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About 小看

小看Simplified
12Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 小看

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Podcast: 小看

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AI Study Notes for 小看

Quick Contrast

轻视 (qīngshì) — use 小看 when emphasizing a personal attitude of disdain, while 轻视 focuses more on the act of undervaluing without the personal connotation.

Usage Notes

Be cautious not to use 小看 in overly formal contexts, as it can come off as disrespectful. It often collocates with terms like '能力' (ability) or '人' (person). Remember the third tone (xiǎo) followed by the fourth (kàn) to avoid mispronunciation.

HSK Study Tips

Though not in the official HSK vocabulary lists, 小看 relates to other HSK words involving perception and value, such as 看 (to see) or 低估 (to underestimate). Focus on sentence structures using 小看 to express opinions about others.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 小看 with 轻视 (qīng shì), which also means to underestimate but carries a slightly different connotation. For example, using 小看 in a formal report may sound inappropriate; instead, use 低估 for a more suitable tone.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 小看

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Component Characters

小xiǎosmall
HSK 13 strokes小
View full entry
看kànto see
HSK 19 strokes目
View full entry

How to say to look down on in Chinese

“to look down on” in Chinese is小看xiǎokàn

小看 (xiǎo kàn) means to look down on someone or something, often implying a lack of respect or an underestimation of their abilities or importance. It is commonly used in situations where one person undervalues another's skills or contributions, leading to potential conflict or misunderstanding.

When to use 小看

Be cautious not to use 小看 in overly formal contexts, as it can come off as disrespectful. It often collocates with terms like '能力' (ability) or '人' (person). Remember the third tone (xiǎo) followed by the fourth (kàn) to avoid mispronunciation.

小看 or something close to it

轻视 (qīngshì) — use 小看 when emphasizing a personal attitude of disdain, while 轻视 focuses more on the act of undervaluing without the personal connotation.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 小看 with 轻视 (qīng shì), which also means to underestimate but carries a slightly different connotation. For example, using 小看 in a formal report may sound inappropriate; instead, use 低估 for a more suitable tone.

Write 小看

小
看

Practice writing 小看 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 小看

No, 小看 has a negative connotation and is only used to express disdain or underestimation.

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