Ideographic: Shielding one's eyes 目 with a hand 手 to look to the distanceRadical:

meaning for kàn:

  • - to see
  • - to look at
  • - to read
  • - to watch
  • - to visit
  • - to call on
  • - to consider
  • - to regard as
  • - to look after
  • - to treat (an illness)
  • - to depend on
  • - to feel (that)
  • - (after verb) to give it a try
  • - Watch out! (for a danger)

meaning for kān:

  • - to look after
  • - to take care of
  • - to watch
  • - to guard

xiǎng
kàn
shénme什么

What do you want to watch?


huítóu回头
kàn
yìyǎn一眼

Look back for a second.


wǎnshang晚上
jiǔ
diǎn
de
shíhou时候
kàn
le
diànshì电视

I watched TV at nine o'clock in the evening.


māma妈妈
xǐhuan喜欢
kàn
yuèliang月亮

My mom likes to look at the moon.


érzi儿子
hěn
xǐhuan喜欢
kàn
dònghuàpiàn动画片

My son likes to watch cartoons.