Chinese verb · action · first needed at beginner level (A1)
看
kàn
to look, to watch, to read
Covers looking, watching and reading: (kàn diànshì), (kàn shū), (kàn shǒujī). It also means “to visit” ( (kàn péngyou)) and “to see a doctor” ( (kàn bìng)).
Speed:
Basic
基本
Now, usually, or with a time word. Negative: (bú kàn).
| affirmative | 我每天看新闻。Wǒ měi tiān kàn xīnwén. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我不看电视。Wǒ bú kàn diànshì. | |
| question | 你看电视吗？Nǐ kàn diànshì ma? |
Completed
了
Something that has happened. Negative with (méi), and then 了 drops.
| affirmative | 我看了那个电影。Wǒ kànle nàge diànyǐng. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我没看那个电影。Wǒ méi kàn nàge diànyǐng. | |
| question | 你看那个电影了吗？Nǐ kàn nàge diànyǐng le ma? |
Experience
过
Something done at least once before. Negative: + verb + 过.
| affirmative | 我看过这本书。Wǒ kànguo zhè běn shū. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我没看过这本书。Wǒ méi kànguo zhè běn shū. | |
| question | 你看过这个电影吗？Nǐ kànguo zhège diànyǐng ma? |
In progress
在
Happening right now. Negative: (méi zài).
| affirmative | 我在看电视。Wǒ zài kàn diànshì. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我没在看电视。Wǒ méi zài kàn diànshì. | |
| question | 你在看什么？Nǐ zài kàn shénme? |
Future and intention
要 / 会
Plans with (yào), predictions with (huì). To say you won't, use + verb or .
| affirmative | 我晚上要看电影。Wǒ wǎnshang yào kàn diànyǐng. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我晚上不看电视。Wǒ wǎnshang bú kàn diànshì. | |
| question | 你晚上要看电影吗？Nǐ wǎnshang yào kàn diànyǐng ma? |
Ability and permission
能 / 可以 / 会
: allowed to have a look. (kàn bu qīngchu): can't see clearly.
| affirmative | 你可以看看。Nǐ kěyǐ kànkan. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 你不能看我的手机。Nǐ bù néng kàn wǒ de shǒujī. | |
| question | 我可以看看吗？Wǒ kěyǐ kànkan ma? | |
| can't | 太远了，我看不清楚。Tài yuǎn le, wǒ kàn bu qīngchu. |
Result
结果补语
: to understand what you read or watch. (kàn bu dǒng): can't understand it.
| affirmative | 我看懂了。Wǒ kàndǒng le. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我没看懂。Wǒ méi kàndǒng. | |
| question | 你看懂了吗？Nǐ kàndǒng le ma? | |
| can't | 我看不懂。Wǒ kàn bu dǒng. |
Examples
- 我可以看一下菜单吗？Wǒ kěyǐ kàn yíxià càidān ma?Could I have a look at the menu?
- 周末我去看朋友。Zhōumò wǒ qù kàn péngyou.At the weekend I'm going to visit friends.
- 你看，下雨了！Nǐ kàn, xià yǔ le!Look, it's raining!