Difference between revisions of "Comparing "xiande" and "kanqilai""
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Both 显得 (xiǎnde) and 看起来 (kànqilai) have meanings in English like "to appear to be" or "seems like," but their connotations are subtly different. | Both 显得 (xiǎnde) and 看起来 (kànqilai) have meanings in English like "to appear to be" or "seems like," but their connotations are subtly different. | ||
| − | == 显得 | + | == 显得 Emphasizes Objectivity == |
显得 is used for objective descriptions and comparisons. Use it when you want to say that something "appears" a certain way without emphasizing that it's just your own viewpoint. | 显得 is used for objective descriptions and comparisons. Use it when you want to say that something "appears" a certain way without emphasizing that it's just your own viewpoint. | ||
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| − | == 看起来 | + | == 看起来 Emphasizes Subjectivity == |
看起来 is the opposite of 显得 in that it emphasizes subjectivity, emphasizing how the observer feels. | 看起来 is the opposite of 显得 in that it emphasizes subjectivity, emphasizing how the observer feels. | ||
Revision as of 14:54, 14 January 2021
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Keywords
Both 显得 (xiǎnde) and 看起来 (kànqilai) have meanings in English like "to appear to be" or "seems like," but their connotations are subtly different.
Contents
显得 Emphasizes Objectivity
显得 is used for objective descriptions and comparisons. Use it when you want to say that something "appears" a certain way without emphasizing that it's just your own viewpoint.
Structure
A + 显得 + B + Predicate
Examples
- 这样 穿 显得 我 比较 成熟 。Dressing like this makes me appear more mature.
- 那样 吃 显得 你 很 没 礼貌 。 Eating like that makes you look very impolite.
- 这么 做 会 显得 你 很 小气 。 Doing this makes you appear stingy.
- 那样 说 显得 她 很 笨 。 Saying that made her appear stupid.
- 这 种 颜色 的 衣服 显得 你 的 脸色 不 好看 。 This color of clothing doesn't go well with your complexion.
看起来 Emphasizes Subjectivity
看起来 is the opposite of 显得 in that it emphasizes subjectivity, emphasizing 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 seems pretty good. Let's try it out.
- 她 看起来 有点 生气 。 She seems a little angry.
- 你的 衣服 看起来 挺 贵 的 。 Your clothes look quote expensive.
- 你 女朋友 看起来 像 我 的 中文 老师 。 Your girlfriend looks like my Chinese teacher.
Example Dialog
- A:你 今天 看起来 很 苗条。You look 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 appear that way.
Sources and further reading
Books
Dictionaries
- 现代汉语词典（第5版） (pp. 1477) 卓越汉语－公司实战篇 →buy
