Usage note
看是用眼睛去注意人或东西，比如看书、看电视。
kàn shì yòng yǎnjīng qù zhùyì rén huò dōngxi, bǐrú kàn shū, kàn diànshì.
It means to use your eyes to pay attention to someone or something, like reading a book or watching TV.
Context note
当我们用眼睛去注意人或东西的时候，就会用到“看”这个动作。它属于日常动作话题。
Dāng wǒmen yòng yǎnjīng qù zhùyì rén huò dōngxi de shíhou, jiù huì yòng dào “kàn” zhège dòngzuò. Tā shǔyú rìcháng dòngzuò huàtí.
This word is used when you use your eyes to notice people or things. It belongs to the topic of everyday actions.
5 examples
我在看书
wǒ zài kàn shū
I am reading a book
他看报纸
tā kàn bù zhǐ
He is reading the newspaper
妈妈在看电视
mā ma zài kàn shì yuàn
Mom is watching TV
我们一起看书吧
wǒ men yī qǐ kàn shū ba
Let's read books together
他喜欢看漫画
tā xǐ huān kàn huà màn
He likes to read comics
5 mini stories
小猫坐在窗台上，看外面的小鸟。小鸟在树上唱歌，小猫看得很认真。
Xiǎo māo zuò zài chuāngtái shàng, kàn wàimiàn de xiǎo niǎo. Xiǎo niǎo zài shù shàng chànggē, xiǎo māo kàn de hěn rènzhēn.
The kitten sits on the windowsill, looking at the little bird outside. The little bird sings in the tree, and the kitten watches very intently.
放学后，小明和妈妈去书店。小明拿起一本图画书，坐在小椅子上看。书里有恐龙，他看得笑出声来。
Fàngxué hòu, Xiǎomíng hé māma qù shūdiàn. Xiǎomíng ná qǐ yī běn túhuà shū, zuò zài xiǎo yǐzi shàng kàn. Shū lǐ yǒu kǒnglóng, tā kàn de xiào chū shēng lái.
After school, Xiaoming goes to the bookstore with his mom. Xiaoming picks up a picture book and sits on a small chair to read. There are dinosaurs in the book, and he laughs out loud while looking at it.
爸爸在厨房做饭，小红站在旁边看。爸爸切菜很快，小红说：“让我也看看怎么切。”
Bàba zài chúfáng zuò fàn, Xiǎohóng zhàn zài pángbiān kàn. Bàba qiē cài hěn kuài, Xiǎohóng shuō: “Ràng wǒ yě kàn kàn zěnme qiē.”
Dad is cooking in the kitchen, and Xiaohong stands beside him watching. Dad chops vegetables very fast, and Xiaohong says, “Let me also take a look at how to chop.”
动物园里，小华站在大玻璃前看企鹅。企鹅摇摇摆摆走路，小华觉得很好看，看了很久。
Dòngwùyuán lǐ, Xiǎohuá zhàn zài dà bōlí qián kàn qǐ'é. Qǐ'é yáo yáo bǎi bǎi zǒulù, Xiǎohuá juéde hěn hǎokàn, kàn le hěn jiǔ.
At the zoo, Xiaohua stands in front of the big glass watching the penguins. The penguins waddle when they walk, and Xiaohua finds it very interesting to watch, so he watches for a long time.
晚上，妈妈和宝宝躺在床上看星星。窗外星星一闪一闪，宝宝看着看着就睡着了。
Wǎnshàng, māma hé bǎobao tǎng zài chuáng shàng kàn xīngxīng. Chuāng wài xīngxīng yī shǎn yī shǎn, bǎobao kàn zhe kàn zhe jiù shuìzháo le.
At night, mom and baby lie on the bed looking at the stars. The stars twinkle outside the window, and the baby falls asleep while watching them.
Mini dialogue
看动画片
A
你在看什么？
Nǐ zài kàn shén me?
What are you watching?
B
我在看动画片。
Wǒ zài kàn dòng huà piàn.
I am watching a cartoon.
看书
A
我们一起看书，好吗？
Wǒ men yī qǐ kàn shū, hǎo ma?
Let's read a book together, okay?
B
好，我喜欢看书。
Hǎo, wǒ xǐ huan kàn shū.
Okay, I like reading books.
Related words and contrasts
similar
看见
kàn jiàn
to see
emphasizes the result of looking, actually seeing something
related
读
dú
to read
specifically means to read, often aloud or studying