来看 (lái kàn) — to come and see (literal); (discourse marker) from the perspective of, when it comes to (used in patterns like 从...来看, 就...来看)

Definition

Used most often in the fixed patterns 从…来看 and 就…来看 to mean 'from the perspective of' or 'judging by'. Literally 'come (and) look', but in writing it almost always functions as a discourse marker, not a literal action.

verb
to come and see (literal)(discourse marker) from the perspective ofwhen it comes to (used in patterns like 从...来看, 就...来看)

Examples

  • 来看。
    Nǐ lái kàn yí xià zhè ge wén jiàn.
    Come and take a look at this file.
  • 来看，。
    Cóng jīng jì jiǎo dù lái kàn, zhè ge fāng àn shì kě xíng de.
    From an economic perspective, this plan is feasible.
  • 来看，。
    Jiù mù qián de qíng kuàng lái kàn, wǒ men hái xū yào gèng duō shí jiān.
    Given the current situation, we still need more time.

Origin

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 來; 来 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 來 shows a wheat plant: a central ear, upward leaves, and downward stem and roots. The simplified 来 is a later shorthand.

Open 来 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The shape 看 puts 手 (hand) over 目 (eye), showing a hand placed above the eyes to gaze into the distance.

Open 看 →

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