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看来 (kàn lái) — it seems that; apparently

Definition

A sentence-initial 'it seems that' used to draw a conclusion from evidence. Unlike 好像, it states the speaker's inference rather than an uncertain guess.

verb
it seems thatapparently

Examples

  • 看来。
    kàn lái Jīn tiān bú huì xià yǔ.
    It seems it won't rain today.
  • 看来。
    kàn lái Tā hěn gāo xìng.
    It seems he is very happy.
  • 看来。
    kàn lái Nǐ yǐ jīng xué le hěn duō.
    It seems you have already learned a lot.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
补充bǔchōngVerb + complement

An action followed by its result or direction.

看kànlook
来láicome

From what one 看, impressions 来, 'come', so it means apparently.

Characters in this word

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.

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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 →

Grammar

Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 3500 Most Frequent Chinese WordsHSK 2.0 Level 51000 Most Frequent Chinese WordsThinking & Cognition2000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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