Meanings of 看望
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About 看望
Podcast: 看望
Podcast: 看望
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AI Study Notes for 看望
探望 (tànwàng) - use 看望 (kànwàng) when the visit implies goodwill or care, while 探望 (tànwàng) can be more neutral or formal.
Imagine a caring person (the '看' part, which looks like a person looking) going to see a friend who is '望' (wàng, which sounds like 'wong' and reminds you of a 'wong' family gathering). Picture them sharing stories and laughter, reinforcing the idea of visiting for connection.
While 看望 is generally used in a polite context, learners sometimes confuse it with just 'visiting' (访问, fǎngwèn), which can imply a more formal or official visit. It's important to use 看望 in informal and friendly settings. Note the tones: '看' (kàn) is the fourth tone and '望' (wàng) is the fourth tone as well.
As an HSK Level 5 word, 看望 connects with other verbs related to social interactions and visiting, such as 访问 (fǎngwèn). Students should focus on using it in sentences that express visiting friends or family to enhance conversational skills.
In Chinese culture, visiting friends and family, especially during holidays or when someone is unwell, is an important social custom, reflecting the value placed on familial ties and relationships.
Learners often confuse 看望 with 访问; for example, saying '我去访问我的朋友' (Wǒ qù fǎngwèn wǒ de péngyǒu) is incorrect in informal contexts. The correct expression for visiting a friend is '看望'.
Pronunciation of 看望
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Component Characters
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Grammar Patterns of 看望
看望 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
他怎么也不会等到谁要来____他。
He would never have expected that anyone would come to visit him.
Example Sentences for 看望 (5)
Cultural Notes for 看望
In Chinese culture, visiting friends and family, especially during holidays or when someone is unwell, is an important social custom, reflecting the value placed on familial ties and relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions about 看望
No, 看望 is typically reserved for personal visits. For business contexts, use 访问 (fǎngwèn) instead.