<p>your understanding is correct for the basic use.
the difference between 看 and 看见，the latter usually means 'have seen/watched', which emphasizes the fact that sb saw sb/sth in the time before.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-31T18:09:37.650Z
Thank for emphasis on "have seen/watched" -- before in time
Nate Anderson
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-31T04:59:29.083Z
2015-12-31T04:59:29.083Z
zhakang
<p>I've seen 看 used on its own, 见 used on its own, and 看见 used together.</p>

<p>My understanding:</p>

<ul>
<li>看 means "to see" or "to watch"， objects are typically inanimate (i.e.
not people) </li>
<li>见 means "to see" or "to meet", objects are typically
people</li>
</ul>

<p>Is the above correct?</p>

<p>Why would you use 看见？ <a href="http://xn--rcktbp9l7213b4vj.jp/your-community/chinese-grammar/difference-between-kan-and-jian" rel="nofollow">This (Rocket Languages) site</a> suggests it means "to catch a glimpse of".  Specifically, why use 看见　instead of just 见　？</p>

<p>It's <a href="http://www.kanjian.com/" rel="nofollow">even a website!</a> where the object is 音了 -- as in, "see the music" ?</p>

<p>The Rocket Languages site also explains the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_grammar#Complement_of_result" rel="nofollow">complement</a> form, 看不见　which suggests "can't" -- are there other examples </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-01-14T23:49:50.157Z
sometimes they are abbv form，我要去看一个病人，here，看=看望，探望，会见，拜访 ， it is same as 见 of 我要去见客户。
Daniel Yang
<difference>
To see, to watch, to meet - 看 vs 见 vs 看见
# To see, to watch, to meet - 看 vs 见 vs 看见

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-12-30)

I've seen 看 used on its own, 见 used on its own, and 看见 used together.

My understanding:

* 看 means "to see" or "to watch"， objects are typically inanimate (i.e.
  not people)
* 见 means "to see" or "to meet", objects are typically
  people

Is the above correct?

Why would you use 看见？ [This (Rocket Languages) site](http://xn--rcktbp9l7213b4vj.jp/your-community/chinese-grammar/difference-between-kan-and-jian) suggests it means "to catch a glimpse of". Specifically, why use 看见　instead of just 见　？

It's [even a website!](http://www.kanjian.com/) where the object is 音了 -- as in, "see the music" ?

The Rocket Languages site also explains the [complement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_grammar#Complement_of_result) form, 看不见　which suggests "can't" -- are there other examples

**Tags:** difference
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: sometimes they are abbv form，我要去看一个病人，here，看=看望，探望，会见，拜访 ， it is same as 见 of 我要去见客户。  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2015-12-31. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

your understanding is correct for the basic use.
the difference between 看 and 看见，the latter usually means 'have seen/watched', which emphasizes the fact that sb saw sb/sth in the time before.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thank for emphasis on "have seen/watched" -- before in time  

---

