Difference between revisions of "Comparing "xiande" and "kanqilai""
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显得 is used for objective descriptions and comparisons. Therefore, if you want to say that something is not very good, you can use 显得 to emphasize your objectiveness. It can be a "tactical" way to talk. | 显得 is used for objective descriptions and comparisons. Therefore, if you want to say that something is not very good, you can use 显得 to emphasize your objectiveness. It can be a "tactical" way to talk. | ||
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=== Structure === | === Structure === | ||
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<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
| − | * 这 种 颜色 的 衣服 <em>显得</em> 你 的 脸色 很 | + | * 这 种 颜色 的 衣服 <em>显得</em> 你 的 脸色 很 差 。 <span class="pinyin">Zhè zhǒng yánsè de yīfu <em>xiǎnde</em> nǐ de liǎnsè hěn chà.</span> <span class="trans">This color of clothing doesn't go well with your complexion.</span> |
| − | * 这么 做 会 <em>显得</em> 你 很 | + | * 这么 做 会 <em>显得</em> 你 很 小气 。 <span class="pinyin">Zhème zuò huì <em>xiǎnde</em> nǐ hěn xiǎoqì.</span> <span class="trans">Doing it like this makes you seem stingy.</span> |
</div> | </div> | ||
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看起来 is the opposite in that it emphasizes subjectivity, paying close attention to how the observer feels. | 看起来 is the opposite in that it emphasizes subjectivity, paying close attention to how the observer feels. | ||
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=== Structure === | === Structure === | ||
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<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
| − | * 你 今天 <em>看起来</em> 很 | + | * 你 今天 <em>看起来</em> 很 高兴 。 <span class="pinyin">Nǐ jīntiān <em>kànqǐlái</em> hěn gāoxìng.</span> <span class="trans">You seem very happy today.</span> |
| − | * | + | * 这个 餐厅 <em>看起来</em> 不错，我们 可以 试试 。 <span class="pinyin">Zhège cāntīng <em>kànqǐlái</em> bùcuò, wǒmen kěyǐ shìshi.</span> <span class="trans">This restaurant doesn't seem too bad, let's try it out.</span> |
</div> | </div> | ||
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<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
| − | * A: 你 今天 <em>看起来</em> | + | * A: 你 今天 <em>看起来</em> 很 苗条。<span class="pinyin">A- : Nǐ jīntiān <em>kànqǐlái</em> hěn miáotiáo. </span> <span class="trans">You seem very slim today.</span> |
| − | * B: 可能 是 这 件 衣服 <em>显得</em>我很苗条 。<span class="trans">It's probably these clothes that makes me seem that way.</span> | + | * B: 可能 是 这 件 衣服 <em>显得</em>我很苗条 。 <span class="pinyin">B: Kěnéng shì zhè jiàn yīfu <em>xiǎnde</em> wǒ hěn miáotiáo. </span> <span class="trans">It's probably these clothes that makes me seem that way. </span> |
</div> | </div> | ||
Revision as of 03:19, 2 March 2017
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Level
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Similar to
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Used for
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Keywords
Both 显得 (xiǎnde) and 看起来 (kànqǐlái) have meanings in English like "to appear to be" or "seems like," but their connotations are pretty different.
Contents
显得 emphasizes objectivity
显得 is used for objective descriptions and comparisons. Therefore, if you want to say that something is not very good, you can use 显得 to emphasize your objectiveness. It can be a "tactical" way to talk.
Structure
A + 显得 + B + Predicate
Examples
- 这 种 颜色 的 衣服 显得 你 的 脸色 很 差 。 This color of clothing doesn't go well with your complexion.
- 这么 做 会 显得 你 很 小气 。 Doing it like this makes you seem stingy.
看起来 emphasize subjectivity
看起来 is the opposite in that it emphasizes subjectivity, paying close attention to how the observer feels.
Structure
Subj. + 看起来 + Predicate
Examples
- 你 今天 看起来 很 高兴 。 You seem very happy today.
- 这个 餐厅 看起来 不错，我们 可以 试试 。 This restaurant doesn't seem too bad, let's try it out.
Example Dialog
- A: 你 今天 看起来 很 苗条。 You seem very slim today.
- B: 可能 是 这 件 衣服 显得我很苗条 。 It's probably these clothes that makes me seem that way.
Sources and further reading
Dictionaries
- 现代汉语词典（第5版） (显得 p. 1477) →buy
