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How to say “it seems” in Chinese with 看起来 and 看来

看起来 (kànqǐlái) + Adj. (visual impression) / 看来 (kànlái) + Clause (inference)

Comparing "看起来 (kànqǐlái)" and "看来 (kànlái)"

HSK 5Verbs

Rule structure

看起来 (kàn qǐlái) is based on direct observation (appearance). 看来 (kànlái) is based on reasoning or evidence (it seems, it appears).

Examples

他看起来累了。 / 看来他不会来了。

Tā kàn qǐlái lèi le. / Kànlái tā bù huì lái le.

He looks tired. / It seems he won’t come.

Practice

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Frequently asked questions

How do you express “Comparing "看起来 (kànqǐlái)" and "看来 (kànlái)"” in Chinese?

Use the structure: 看起来 (kànqǐlái) + Adj. (visual impression) / 看来 (kànlái) + Clause (inference). For example: 他看起来累了。 / 看来他不会来了。 — “He looks tired. / It seems he won’t come.”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

他看起来累了。 / 看来他不会来了。 — “He looks tired. / It seems he won’t come.”.

Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?

This grammar rule is part of HSK 5.

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Subj. + 算 (suàn) + (是 (shì)) + Noun / Adj.

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这 (zhè) / 也 (yě) + 难怪 (nánguài) + Person

Challenging a verb with "什么 (shénme)"

Verb + 什么 (shénme) + (Obj.) (rhetorical disapproval)

Making "-ize" and "-ify" verbs with "化 (huà)"

Noun / Adj. + 化 (huà) → Verb (to -ize/-ify)

Comparing specifically with "像 (xiàng)"

A + 像 (xiàng) + B + 一样 (yíyàng) / 这么 (zhème) / 那么 (nàme) + Adj.

Comparing "显得 (xiǎnde)" and "看起来 (kànqǐlái)"

Subj. + 显得 (xiǎnde) + Adj. (shows quality) / Subj. + 看起来 (kànqǐlái) + Adj. (looks)

Comparisons with "比起 (bǐqǐ)"

比起 (bǐqǐ) + B + (来 (lái)), A + 更 (gèng) / 比较 (bǐjiào) + Adj.

Comparisons with "不如 (bùrú)"

A + 不如 (bùrú) + B + (那么 (nàme) + Adj.)