What does 看 mean in Chinese?

看 (kàn) means "to see; to look at; to read; to watch; to visit; to call on; to consider; to regard as; to look after; to treat (an illness); to depend on; to feel (that); (after verb) to give it a try; Watch out! (for a danger)" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 1.

How do you pronounce 看?

看 is pronounced "kàn" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 4.

What HSK level is 看?

看 is an HSK 1 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 1 on both the old and the new exam.

What words contain the character 看?

Common words with 看 include 好看 (good-looking), 中看 (pleasant to the eye), 乍看 (at first glance), 来看 (to come and see), 偷看 (to peep).

How do you write 看?

看 has 9 strokes. Its radical is 目. You can view the stroke order animation on our stroke order tool.

看 (kàn), to see

看

kàn

to see; to look at; to read; to watch

HSK 1verb9 strokes

Character Breakdown

看 = 手 + 目

A hand shading the eyes — to look

Radical: 目 (no. 109)Strokes: 9

View stroke order →

Definitions

(verb) to see
to look at
to read
to watch
to visit
to call on
to consider
to regard as
to look after
to treat (an illness)
to depend on
to feel (that)
(after verb) to give it a try
Watch out! (for a danger)

Example Sentences

我们去看电影吧。

Wǒmen qù kàn diànyǐng ba

Let's go watch a movie

Words Containing 看

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
好看	hǎo kàn	good-looking	HSK 1
中看	zhōng kàn	pleasant to the eye
乍看	zhà kàn	at first glance
来看	lái kàn	to come and see
偷看	tōu kàn	to peep

→

侍弄(shì nòng)· to look after

→

厚养薄葬(hòu yǎng bó zàng)· generous care but a thrifty funeral

→

奉养(fèng yǎng)· to look after (elderly parents)

→

Grammar Notes

Negation with 没 / 没有HSK 1

Subject + 没(有) + Verb / Object

Expressing "Want" with 想HSK 1

Subject + 想 + Verb + Object

Completed Action with 了HSK 1

Subject + Verb + 了 + Object

Experience with 过HSK 2

Subject + Verb + 过 (+ Object)

Progressive Aspect (正在/在...呢)HSK 2

Subject + 正在/在 + Verb (+ Object) + (呢)

Appears in these articles

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 1
HSK 2.0: HSK 1
HSK Lord study list: HSK 1 list

看: HSK 1 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 1 exam

Studying for HSK 1? Keep 看 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 1 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.

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