看望 kànwàng to pay a visit to
to pay a visit to; to see (somebody)
How to remember 看望: 看 look at + 望 gaze = to pay a visit to.
Characters
How it is used
- To visit someone (out of care) - 看望病人 (kànwàng bìngrén) visit a patient; 看望父母 go see one's parents.
- Implies calling on someone you care about, often the sick or elderly. Contrast 拜访 (bàifǎng, a more formal/social call) and 参观 (visit a place); 看望 is visiting a person warmly.
Example sentences
- 我去那里看望她。 Wǒ qù nàlǐ kànwàng tā.I went there to see her.
- 杰克森一家明天下午就要来看望我们。 Jiékèsēn yījiā míngtiān xiàwǔ jiùyào lái kànwàng wǒmen.The Jacksons are visiting us tomorrow afternoon.
- 汤姆想来看望我们。 Tāngmǔ xiǎnglái kànwàng wǒmen.Tom wants to see us.