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March 24, 2026
看望kànwàng(kan4wang4)
看望 (kànwàng) means 'to visit' or 'to pay a call to' someone, typically implying a sense of care or concern for the person being visited. This verb is often used in contexts where one expresses goodwill, such as visiting family, friends, or those who are ill. It carries a nuance of being considerate and shows a relationship between the visitor and the host.
Frequency#8375DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
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.
Memory Tip
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.
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AI Study Notes for 看望
Quick Contrast
探望 (tànwàng) - use 看望 (kànwàng) when the visit implies goodwill or care, while 探望 (tànwàng) can be more neutral or formal.
Memory Mnemonic
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.
Usage Notes
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.
HSK Study Tips
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.
Cultural Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 看望
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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.
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.
看望 is generally informal and conveys a sense of care, making it appropriate for friends and family.
You can say: '我去看望我的奶奶' (Wǒ qù kànwàng wǒ de nǎinai) which means 'I am going to visit my grandmother.'
