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How to say “looks” in Chinese with 显得 and 看起来

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

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

HSK 5Verbs

Rule structure

显得 (xiǎnde) emphasizes that a certain quality is exhibited or comes across. 看起来 (kànqǐlái) is purely visual impression.

Examples

她穿黑色显得很瘦。 / 她看起来很高兴。

Tā chuān hēisè xiǎnde hěn shòu. / Tā kàn qǐlái hěn gāoxìng.

She looks slimmer in black. / She looks happy.

Practice

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Frequently asked questions

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

Use the structure: Subj. + 显得 (xiǎnde) + Adj. (shows quality) / Subj. + 看起来 (kànqǐlái) + Adj. (looks). For example: 她穿黑色显得很瘦。 / 她看起来很高兴。 — “She looks slimmer in black. / She looks happy.”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

她穿黑色显得很瘦。 / 她看起来很高兴。 — “She looks slimmer in black. / She looks happy.”.

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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Challenging a verb with "什么 (shénme)"

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

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

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Comparing specifically with "像 (xiàng)"

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

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.)

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

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