Chinese Conversation · Level 41
90 words
Chinese word
看来
Pronunciation
Pinyinkàn lái
Meaning
- adverbit seems
Example
看来他不会来了。kàn lái tā bú huì lái le
It seems he isn't coming.
More examples
看来不太可能成功。kàn lái bú tài kě néng chéng gōng
It seems unlikely to succeed.
Core concept
A conclusion that comes into view from available signs, stated with room for uncertainty.
Common phrases
看来要kàn lái yào
it seems likely
看来已经kàn lái yǐ jīng
it seems already
看来不太可能kàn lái bú tài kě néng
it seems unlikely
Similar words
看起来kàn qǐ lái: Shows that something seems true from its visible appearance or circumstances.
好像hǎo xiàng: Conveys a feeling that something is likely so from the circumstances.
似乎sì hū: Conveys an uncertain belief that something is true without solid evidence.
看上去kàn shàng qù: Shows that something seems true when judged by its outward appearance.
Definition in Chinese
用作副词，表示说话人根据现有迹象或信息对事实作出非断定性的估计或推测，语气较为委婉。yòng zuò fù cí biǎo shì shuō huà rén gēn jù xiàn yǒu jì xiàng huò xìn xī duì shì shí zuò chū fēi duàn dìng xìng de gū jì huò tuī cè yǔ qì jiào wéi wéi wǎn
Word origin
看来 (kànlái, "it seems") combines 看 (kàn, "look") with 来 (lái, "come"), suggesting that a conclusion comes into view from what is observed.
Usage tips
- English often frames a conclusion as a personal opinion, but this adverb frames it as an inference from the situation, giving the statement a measured force.
Other meanings
- from the looks of itadverb
Opposites
- 实际上shí jì shàngactuallyadverb
- 事实上shì shí shàngin factadverb