Definition
看得出 is a potential complement structure formed by 看 (to look/see) + 得 (can) + 出 (out/emerge). It means 'can see/notice/discern' — you use it when you're able to perceive or infer something from observation. The negative form is 看不出 (cannot tell). Unlike a regular verb, 看得出 always carries a modal sense of possibility; it's not used for simple visual perception (use 看见 for that).
r.v.
can see/discerncan tell (from observation)
Examples
- 看得出。Cóng tā de biǎoqíng kān tā hěn bù kāixīn.From her expression, you can tell she's very unhappy.
- 看得出？Nǐ kān zhè fú huà shì nǎ ge shíqī de ma?Can you tell which period this painting is from?
- 看得出。Wǒ kān tā bú tài zànchéng zhège fāng'àn.I can tell he doesn't really approve of this plan.
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