看见 kànjiàn to see
to see; to catch sight of
How to remember 看见: 看 look at + 见 see = to see.
Characters
How it is used
- To actually see / catch sight of - 我看见他了 (wǒ kànjiàn tā le) I saw him.
- 看 is 'look' (the attempt); 看见 adds 见 as the result 'perceive', so it's look-and-succeed. Compare 听见 hear (vs 听 listen).
- Negative result: 没看见 didn't see it; can't-see-it: 看不见.
Example sentences
- 我看见他了。 Wǒ kànjiàn tā le.I saw him.
- 您看见它了吗？ Nín kànjiàn tā le ma?Did you see it?
- 我看见五个男人。 Wǒ kànjiàn wǔgè nánrén.I saw five men.
- 昨晚我看见它了。 Zuówǎn wǒ kànjiàn tā le.I saw it last night.