HSK · Level 19
135 words
Chinese word
旁观
Pronunciation
Pinyinpáng guān
Meaning
- verblook on
Example
不要再旁观，我们需要你的意见。bú yào zài páng guān wǒ men xū yào nǐ de yì jiàn
Don't look on any longer; we need your opinion.
More examples
他在冲突中只是冷眼旁观，没有去调解。tā zài chōng tū zhōng zhǐ shì léng yǎn páng guān méi yǒu qù tiáo jiě
He merely watched coldly during the conflict and did not intervene to mediate.
Core concept
Watching from the side while staying outside the action or decision.
Common phrases
袖手旁观xiù shǒu páng guān
watch with folded arms
冷眼旁观léng yǎn páng guān
watch indifferently
旁观不语páng guān bù yǔ
look on in silence
Similar words
观望guān wàng: To watch how a situation develops while waiting before deciding or acting.
袖手旁观xiù shǒu páng guān: To stand by with folded arms and do nothing to help.
坐视zuò shì: To let harm or a problem continue without stepping in to help.
看kàn: To look at or watch something with the eyes.
Definition in Chinese
在事件或活动发生时在一旁观看而不参与或干预。zài shì jiàn huò huó dòng fā shēng shí zài yì páng guān kàn ér bù cān yù huò gān yù
Word origin
旁 (páng, "beside") + 观 (guān, "watch") forms the image of watching from the side, which gives the word its sense of nonparticipation.
Usage tips
- English watch can describe simple viewing, while this Chinese verb highlights that the observer does not join or intervene.