Understanding "看见" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 看见
• Pinyin: kàn jiàn
• Literal Meaning: "Look" (看) + "See" (见)
• Primary Meaning: To see, to catch sight of, to perceive with the eyes.

2. In-depth Explanation

Context and Usage

"看见" is a common verb used to describe the act of seeing something or someone. It emphasizes the result of the action—actually perceiving something visually. Unlike just "看" (kàn), which means "to look" or "to watch," "看见" implies that the subject has successfully seen the object.

For example:
- If you say "我看书" (wǒ kàn shū), it means "I read a book" (the action of looking at the book).
- If you say "我看见一本书" (wǒ kàn jiàn yī běn shū), it means "I saw a book" (you noticed its presence).

It is often used in everyday conversations, storytelling, and observations.

Character Breakdown

• 看 (kàn): Means "to look," "to watch," or "to read."
• 见 (jiàn): Means "to see," "to meet," or "to perceive."

Together, they form "看见," emphasizing the completion of the act of seeing.

3. Example Sentences

1. Chinese: 我看见一只猫在树上。
   Pinyin: Wǒ kàn jiàn yī zhī māo zài shù shàng.
   English: I saw a cat in the tree.

2. Chinese: 你看见我的钥匙了吗？
   Pinyin: Nǐ kàn jiàn wǒ de yào shi le ma?
   English: Did you see my keys?

3. Chinese: 昨天他看见了一个老朋友。
   Pinyin: Zuó tiān tā kàn jiàn le yī gè lǎo péng you.
   English: Yesterday, he saw an old friend.

Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, "看见" is often used in storytelling to describe moments of realization or discovery. For example, in traditional folktales, a character might "看见" something magical or significant, leading to a plot development.

Additionally, "见" (jiàn) is also used in words like "见面" (jiàn miàn, "to meet face-to-face"), showing its importance in social interactions.

Conclusion

"看见" (kàn jiàn) is a practical and frequently used word meaning "to see." Remember that it emphasizes the result of seeing, not just the act of looking. Use it when you want to say you noticed or perceived something visually. Practice with the example sentences to master its usage!