看来

kànlái

apparently

HSK 3

漢字分解

Usage of "看来"

"看来" is a common adverb used to express a speaker's inference or judgment based on observation or available information. It often translates as "apparently," "it seems," or "looks like."

Nuance and Context

When using "看来," the speaker implies a conclusion drawn from evidence rather than certainty. It softens statements, making them less direct and more polite or tentative.

Common Collocations

  • 看来 + clause: to introduce a conclusion or guess
  • 看来 + subject + verb: to describe an appearance or impression

Example Patterns

  • 看来 + / + verb: indicating a likely future event
  • 看来 + + adjective: describing an observed state

Avoiding Confusion

Do not confuse "看来" with "起来" which is more focused on visual appearance. "看来" is broader and often used for logical inference, not just visual cues.

例文

看来今天会下雨,我们最好带伞。

Kàn lái jīntiān huì xiàyǔ, wǒmen zuì hǎo dài sǎn.

Apparently, it will rain today. We better bring umbrellas.

他看来很累,应该休息一下。

Tā kàn lái hěn lèi, yīnggāi xiūxi yíxià.

He looks very tired; he should take a rest.

看来这次考试不太容易,大家都很紧张。

Kàn lái zhè cì kǎoshì bù tài róngyì, dàjiā dōu hěn jǐnzhāng.

It seems this exam is not easy; everyone is very nervous.