看
kàn
To look, to watch, to read
How to say “looks” or “seems” in Chinese with 看起来
Subj. + 看起来 (kànqǐlái) + Adj.
看起来 (kàn qǐ lái) — looks, seems
HSK 3Verbs
Subj. + 看起来 (kànqǐlái) + Adj.
HSK 3Verbs看起来 (kàn qǐ lái) — looks, seems
Rule structure
看起来 (kàn qǐlái) means "looks like" or "appears to be" and is used to express a subjective judgment based on appearance.
Rule structure
看起来 (kàn qǐlái) means "looks like" or "appears to be" and is used to express a subjective judgment based on appearance.
Examples
他看起来很高兴。
Tā kàn qǐlái hěn gāoxìng.
He looks very happy.
这件衣服看起来很贵。
Zhèjiàn yīfú kànqǐlái hěn guì.
This piece of clothing looks expensive.
她看起来很开心。
Tā kànqǐlái hěn kāixīn.
She looks very happy.
Examples
他看起来很高兴。
Tā kàn qǐlái hěn gāoxìng.
He looks very happy.
这件衣服看起来很贵。
Zhèjiàn yīfú kànqǐlái hěn guì.
This piece of clothing looks expensive.
她看起来很开心。
Tā kànqǐlái hěn kāixīn.
She looks very happy.
Practice
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say “looks, seems” in Chinese with 看起来?
Use the structure: Subj. + 看起来 (kànqǐlái) + Adj.. For example: 他看起来很高兴。 — “He looks very happy”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
他看起来很高兴。 — “He looks very happy”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.
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More HSK 3 grammar rules
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经过 (jīngguò) + Event / Time，⋯⋯
没有 — not as… as
Noun 1 + 没 (méi)(有 (yǒu)) + Noun 2 + Adj.
一边 — doing two things at once
一边 (yìbiān) + Verb 1, 一边 (yìbiān) + Verb 2
如果…就 — if… then…
如果 (rúguǒ)……，就 (jiù)……
万 — big numbers
Number + 万 (wàn) / 亿 (yì)
地 — turning adjectives into adverbs
Adj. + 地 (de) + Verb
AA — reduplicating adjectives
AA / AABB
想 — as one likes
想 (xiǎng) + Verb Phrase with Question Word + 就 (jiù) + Same Verb Phrase