Difference between revisions of "Comparing "kanqilai" and "kanlai""

 
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Both 看起来 (kànqilai) and 看来 (kànlái) are related to how something "looks," but they are used in different ways. Whereas 看起来 indicates an appraisal of a physical situation, 看来 expresses a user's understanding of a situation.
Both 看起来 (kànqǐlái) and 看来 (kànlái) have the meanings, "it looks like" and "to seem," but they have different usages. Whereas 看起来 indicates a reaction to a physical sight, 看来 expresses a user's understanding of a situation.
 
  
 
== 看起来 Describes a Physical Appearance ==
 
== 看起来 Describes a Physical Appearance ==
  
看起来 is used to describe physical appearances. In other words, one can use 看起来 to literally describe what something "looks like."  
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看起来 is used to describe physical appearances. In other words, one can use 看起来 to literally describe what something "looks ''like''."  
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
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<div class="liju">
  
*蛋糕 <em>看起来</em> 很 好吃 。<span class="pinyin">Dàngāo <em>kànqǐlái</em> hěn hǎochī.</span><span class="trans">This cake looks really tasty.</span>
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*女儿 今天 <em>看起来</em> 很 开心 。<span class="pinyin">Nǚér jīntiān <em>kànqǐlái</em> hěn kāixīn.</span><span class="trans">Our daughter looks really happy today.</span>
*这 家 餐厅 <em>看起来</em> 不错。<span class="pinyin">Zhè jiā cāntīng <em>kànqǐlái</em> bùcuò.</span><span class="trans">This restaurant looks good.</span>
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*这 道 菜 <em>看起来</em> 很 好吃。<span class="pinyin">Zhè dào cài <em>kànqǐlái</em> hěn hǎochī.</span><span class="trans">This dish looks really tasty.</span>
*你 男朋友 <em>看起来</em> 很 成熟 。<span class="pinyin">Nǐ nánpéngyou <em>kànqǐlái</em> hěn chéngshú.</span><span class="trans">Your boyfriend seems very mature.</span>
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*这 两 件 衣服 <em>看起来</em> 差不多 一样 。<span class="pinyin">Zhè liǎng jiàn yīfu <em>kànqǐlái</em> chàbuduō yīyàng.</span><span class="trans">These two pieces of clothing look pretty much the same.</span>
*老板 <em>看起来</em> 有点 不 高兴 。<span class="pinyin">Lǎobǎn <em>kànqǐlái</em> yǒudiǎn bù gāoxìng.</span><span class="trans">The boss seems a little unhappy.</span>
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*老板 最近 太 忙 了,他 <em>看起来</em> 很 累。<span class="pinyin">Lǎobǎn zuìjìn tài máng le, tā <em>kànqǐlái</em> hěn lèi.</span><span class="trans">The boss has been too busy lately. He looks really tired.</span>
*你们 <em>看起来</em> 差不多 高 。<span class="pinyin">Nǐmen <em>kànqǐlái</em> chàbuduō gāo.</span><span class="trans">You two seem to be the same height.</span>
 
  
 
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== 看起来 When Using an Analogy ==
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== 看起来 + 像 for Direct Visual Comparisons ==
  
看起来 can also be used to express how something "looks like" something else. But unlike the previous usage of 看起来, and with the help of "像," we can explicitly state what the object looks like.  
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看起来 can also be used to express how something "looks like" something else. But unlike the previous usage of 看起来, and with the help of 像, we can explicitly state what the object looks like.  
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
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<div class="liju">
  
*你 妈妈 年轻 !<em>看起来</em> <strong>像</strong> 你 姐姐 。<span class="pinyin">Nǐ māma zhēn niánqīng! <em>Kànqǐlái</em> <strong>xiàng</strong> nǐ jiějie.</span><span class="trans">Your mother is so young! She looks like your older sister.</span>
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*你 姐姐 漂亮 !<em>看起来</em> <strong>像</strong> 明星 。<span class="pinyin">Nǐ jiějie zhēn piàoliang! <em>Kànqǐlái</em> <strong>xiàng</strong> míngxīng.</span><span class="trans">Your big sister is so pretty! She looks like a celebrity.</span>
*<em>看起来</em> <strong>像</strong> 不 <strong>像</strong> 大 老板 ?<span class="pinyin"><em>kànqǐlái</em> <strong>xiàng</strong> bu <strong>xiàng</strong> dà lǎobǎn.</span><span class="trans">Do I look like a big boss?</span>
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*这 件 事 <em>看起来</em> <strong>像</strong> 骗 人 的 。<span class="pinyin">Zhè jiàn shì <em>kànqǐlái</em> <strong>xiàng</strong> piàn rén de .</span><span class="trans">This whole thing looks like it's meant to scam people.</span>
*你们 俩 <em>看起来</em> <strong>像</strong> 情侣 。<span class="pinyin">Nǐmen liǎ <em>kànqǐlái</em> <strong>xiàng</strong> qínglǚ.</span><span class="trans">You two look like a couple. </span>
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*他们 <em>看起来</em> <strong>像</strong> 好 人 。<span class="pinyin">Tāmen <em>kànqǐlái</em> <strong>xiàng</strong> hǎo rén.</span><span class="trans">They don't look like good people.</span>
*他们 <em>看起来</em> <strong>像</strong> 有钱 人 。<span class="pinyin">Tāmen <em>kànqǐlái</em> bù <strong>xiàng</strong> yǒuqián rén.</span><span class="trans">They don't seem like rich people.</span>
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*<em>看起来</em> <strong>像</strong> <strong></strong> 我 的 那个 朋友 ?<span class="pinyin"><em>kànqǐlái</em> <strong>xiàng</strong> bu <strong>xiàng</strong> wǒ de nàge péngyou?</span><span class="trans">Does he look like that friend of mine?</span>
*那 个 喝醉 的 男人 <em>看起来</em> <strong></strong> 你 老公 。<span class="pinyin">Nà gè hēzuì de nánrén <em>kànqǐlái</em> <strong>xiàng</strong> nǐ lǎogōng.</span><span class="trans">That drunk guy looks like your husband.</span>
 
 
 
 
</div>
 
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== 看来 When Assessing a Situation ==
 
== 看来 When Assessing a Situation ==
  
看来 can be used by a speaker to indicate his/her understanding of a situation. Note that 看来 is used in a manner, such that the speaker isn't necessarily indicating the physical appearance of anything. Rather, 看来 employs more of an abstract reading for how a situation "seems like."
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看来 can be used to express one's interpretation of a situation. Note that when 看来 is used in a manner, the speaker isn't usually commenting on the ''visual'' or ''physical'' appearance of anything. Rather, 看来 indicates the speaker's perspective or conclusion about how a situation "looks."
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
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* <em>看来</em>他不来了,都这么晚了。<span class="pinyin"> <em>Kànlái</em> tā bù láile, dōu zhème wǎnle.</span><span class="trans">It seems he's not coming. It's already so late.</span>
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* 雨 这么 大,<em>看来</em> 他 不 来 了。<span class="pinyin">Yǔ zhème dà, <em>kànlái</em> tā bù lái le.</span><span class="trans">It's raining so hard. It seems he's not coming.</span>
* <em>看来</em>你玩得不高兴,怎么这么早就回来了?<span class="pinyin"> <em>Kànlái</em> nǐ wán dé gāoxìng, zěnme zhème zǎo jiù huíláile.</span><span class="trans">I guess you didn't have a good time. Is that why you came back so early?</span>
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*这 家 餐厅 人 很 少, <em>看来</em> 不 太 好吃。<span class="pinyin">Zhè jiā cāntīng rén hěn shǎo, <em>Kànlái</em> bù tài hǎochī.</span><span class="trans">There aren't many people at this restaurant. It seems the food isn't so good.</span>
* 现在<em>看来</em>,事情没那么糟。<span class="pinyin">Xiànzài <em>kànlái</em>, shìqíng méi nàme zāo. </span><span class="trans">Now it looks like things aren't that bad.</span>
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* 现在 <em>看来</em>,他 没有 那么 喜欢 你。<span class="pinyin">Xiànzài <em>kànlái</em>, tā méiyǒu nàme xǐhuan nǐ. </span><span class="trans">It seems now that he's just not that into you.</span>
 
 
 
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== 看来 as "From X's Perspective" ==
 
== 看来 as "From X's Perspective" ==
  
看来 also holds the form of expressing one's perspective. A more literal translation would be "the way one sees it..." The full form is mainly used in formal writing and speaking.
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看来 can also be used to make a subjective statement from a particular person's perspective. A more literal translation would be "the way [Person] sees it...." This full form is more common in formal writing and speaking.
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=== Structure ===
  
 
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* <em>在</em><strong>我</strong><em>看来</em>,不 会 花 钱 人 就 不 会 享受 生活。<span class="trans">The way I see it, people who won't spend money aren't going to enjoy life.</span>
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* <em>在</em><strong> 我 </strong><em>看来</em>,最 好 办法 是 大家 一起 合作。<span class="pinyin"><em>zài</em><strong> wǒ </strong><em>kànlái</em>, zuìhǎo de bànfǎ shì dàjiā yīqǐ hézuò.</span><span class="trans">The way I see it, the best solution is for everyone to cooperate.</span>
* <em>在</em><strong>他</strong><em>看来</em>,公司 大小 不重要,重要的是老板好不好。<span class="trans">According to him, the size of the company isn't important. What's important is whether or not the boss is good.</span>
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* <em>在</em><strong> 他 </strong><em>看来</em>,这 件 事情 很 简单。<span class="pinyin"><em>zài</em><strong> tā </strong><em>kànlái</em>, zhè jiàn shìqing hěn jiǎndān.</span><span class="trans">From his perspective, this is a very simple matter.</span>
 
 
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== Example Dialog ==
 
 
A good way to differentiate the two phrases is to distinguish the points of emphasis in both phrases. 看起来's forms characterize the object, while 看来's forms more emphasize the subject. In other words, 看起来 stresses how an object appears, and 看来 stresses how a situation appears ''to'' the user. Take a look at the dialog below to grasp these differences.
 
 
<div class="liju">
 
* A: <em>看来</em>他不来了。<span class="pinyin">A: <em>Kànlái</em> tā bù láile.</span><span class="trans"> It seems he is not coming.</span>
 
* B: 天气<em>看起来</em>不好。<em>在</em><strong>我</strong><em>看来</em>,他不会来因为会下雨。 <span class="pinyin">B: Tiānqì <em>kànqǐlái</em> bu hǎo. <em>Zài</em> <strong>wǒ</strong> <em>kànlái</em>, tā bù huì lái yīnwèi huì xià yǔ.</span><span class="trans"> The weather looks bad. The way I see it, he won't come because it will rain.</span>
 
 
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*[[Assessing situations with "kanlai"]]
 
*[[Assessing situations with "kanlai"]]
  
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[[Category:B2 grammar points]]
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[[Category:grammar comparison]]
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{{HSK|HSK5}}
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{{Basic Grammar|看起来|B2|看起来 vs. 看来|这 家 餐厅 <em>看起来</em> 不错 。 <em>看来</em> 你 喜欢。|grammar point|ASG54932}}
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{{Rel char|看来}}
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{{Rel char|像}}
 
{{Used for|Describing things}}
 
{{Used for|Describing things}}
 
{{Used for|Describing people}}
 
{{Used for|Describing people}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing attitude}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing attitude}}
{{Similar|Comparing_"xiande"_and_"kanqilai"}}
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{{Similar|Appearance with "kanqilai"}}
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{{Similar|Assessing situations with "kanlai"}}
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{{Similar|Comparing "xiande" and "kanqilai"}}
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{{Comparison|Verbs}}

Latest revision as of 03:34, 29 December 2020

Both 看起来 (kànqilai) and 看来 (kànlái) are related to how something "looks," but they are used in different ways. Whereas 看起来 indicates an appraisal of a physical situation, 看来 expresses a user's understanding of a situation.

看起来 Describes a Physical Appearance

看起来 is used to describe physical appearances. In other words, one can use 看起来 to literally describe what something "looks like."

Structure

Subj. + 看起来 ⋯⋯

Examples

  • 女儿 今天 看起来 很 开心 。Nǚér jīntiān kànqǐlái hěn kāixīn.Our daughter looks really happy today.
  • 这 道 菜 看起来 很 好吃。Zhè dào cài kànqǐlái hěn hǎochī.This dish looks really tasty.
  • 这 两 件 衣服 看起来 差不多 一样 。Zhè liǎng jiàn yīfu kànqǐlái chàbuduō yīyàng.These two pieces of clothing look pretty much the same.
  • 老板 最近 太 忙 了,他 看起来 很 累。Lǎobǎn zuìjìn tài máng le, tā kànqǐlái hěn lèi.The boss has been too busy lately. He looks really tired.

看起来 + 像 for Direct Visual Comparisons

看起来 can also be used to express how something "looks like" something else. But unlike the previous usage of 看起来, and with the help of 像, we can explicitly state what the object looks like.

Structure

Subj. + 看起来 + 像 ⋯⋯

Examples

  • 你 姐姐 真 漂亮 !看起来 明星 。Nǐ jiějie zhēn piàoliang! Kànqǐlái xiàng míngxīng.Your big sister is so pretty! She looks like a celebrity.
  • 这 件 事 看起来 骗 人 的 。Zhè jiàn shì kànqǐlái xiàng piàn rén de .This whole thing looks like it's meant to scam people.
  • 他们 看起来 好 人 。Tāmen kànqǐláixiàng hǎo rén.They don't look like good people.
  • 看起来 我 的 那个 朋友 ?kànqǐlái xiàng bu xiàng wǒ de nàge péngyou?Does he look like that friend of mine?

看来 When Assessing a Situation

看来 can be used to express one's interpretation of a situation. Note that when 看来 is used in a manner, the speaker isn't usually commenting on the visual or physical appearance of anything. Rather, 看来 indicates the speaker's perspective or conclusion about how a situation "looks."

Structure

看来 + Perspective

Examples

  • 雨 这么 大,看来 他 不 来 了。Yǔ zhème dà, kànlái tā bù lái le.It's raining so hard. It seems he's not coming.
  • 这 家 餐厅 人 很 少, 看来 不 太 好吃。Zhè jiā cāntīng rén hěn shǎo, Kànlái bù tài hǎochī.There aren't many people at this restaurant. It seems the food isn't so good.
  • 现在 看来,他 没有 那么 喜欢 你。Xiànzài kànlái, tā méiyǒu nàme xǐhuan nǐ. It seems now that he's just not that into you.

看来 as "From X's Perspective"

看来 can also be used to make a subjective statement from a particular person's perspective. A more literal translation would be "the way [Person] sees it...." This full form is more common in formal writing and speaking.

Structure

在 + Person + 看来 + Perspective

Examples

  • 看来,最 好 的 办法 是 大家 一起 合作。zàikànlái, zuìhǎo de bànfǎ shì dàjiā yīqǐ hézuò.The way I see it, the best solution is for everyone to cooperate.
  • 看来,这 件 事情 很 简单。zàikànlái, zhè jiàn shìqing hěn jiǎndān.From his perspective, this is a very simple matter.

See Also