Chinese grammar: Comparing 显得xiande and 看起来kanqilai
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来源:互联网
2013-12-04 11:00:01.000
Both 显得 (xiǎnde) and 看起来 (kànqǐlái) have meanings in English like "to appear to be" or "seems like", but their connotations are pretty different.
显得 emphasizes objectivity
显得 is used for objective descriptions and comparisons. Therefore, if you want to say something that is not very good, you can use 显得 to emphasize your objectiveness. It can be a "tactical" way to talk.
Structure
Examples
Zhè me zuò huì xiǎn dé nǐ hěn xiǎo qi.
这么 做 会 显得 你 很 小气。
这么 做 会 显得 你 很 小气。
Doing it like this makes you seem stingy.
看起来 emphasize subjectivity
看起来 is the opposite in that it emphasizes subjectivity, paying close attention to how the observer feels.
Structure
Examples
nǐ jīn tiān kàn qǐ lái hěn ɡāo xìnɡ 。
你 今天 看起来 很 高兴。
你 今天 看起来 很 高兴。
You seem very happy today.