参观 cānguān to visit (a place, such as a tourist spot)
to visit (a place, such as a tourist spot); inspect
How to remember 参观: 参 take part + 观 observe = to visit (a place, such as a tourist spot).
Characters
How it is used
- To visit / tour a place (to look around) - 参观博物馆 (cānguān bówùguǎn) visit a museum; 参观工厂 tour a factory.
- For places and institutions you go to see - not for visiting people.
- Contrast 访问 (fǎngwèn) 'to visit (a person/formally call on)' and 看 (see a person); 参观 is specifically touring a site to observe it.
Example sentences
- 博物馆的参观者中有少数是外国人。 Bówùguǎn de cānguānzhě zhōngyǒu shǎoshù shì wàiguórén.There was a sprinkling of foreigners among the visitors in the museum.
- 您参观过东京塔吗？ Nín cānguān guò dōngjīng tǎ ma?Did you visit the Tokyo Tower?
- 向导带领我们参观灯塔。 Xiàngdǎo dàilǐng wǒmen cānguān dēngtǎ.The guide led us on a tour of the lighthouse.