觀 meaning and stroke order
To observe, to spectate; appearance, view
How to write 觀, stroke by stroke
25 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
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Meaning of 觀
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- to look at
- to watch
- to observe
- to behold
- to advise
- concept
- Taoist monastery
- palace gate watchtower
- platform
How 觀 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. See.
見 gives the meaning and 雚 hints at the sound.
Radical: 見 (to see), shared by 14 characters on this site.
How to remember 觀
觀 is built from 雚 (guàn), which gives the sound, and 見 (jiàn, to see), which gives the meaning. Picture a bird perched high on the left, keeping watch, while 見 on the right reminds you the whole character is about looking.
觀 is the traditional form of 观, and it appears in many words about watching or ways of seeing things, such as 觀眾 (guānzhòng, audience) and 觀點 (guāndiǎn, viewpoint). It also forms attitude words like 樂觀 (lèguān, optimistic). Example: 我們去參觀博物館。(Wǒmen qù cānguān bówùguǎn.) We are going to visit the museum.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 觀 with 歡 (huān, happy) and 權 (quán, power), because all three share the 雚 part. Check the other side: 見 means seeing (觀), 欠 is in 歡, and 木 is in 權.
Common words with 觀
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 觀點 | guāndiǎn | point of view; viewpoint | HSK 2 |
| 參觀 | cānguān | to visit (a place, e.g. museum or factory); to tour; to look around | HSK 2 |
| 觀眾 | guānzhòng | spectators; audience; visitors (to an exhibition etc) | HSK 3 |
| 觀察 | guānchá | to observe; to watch; to survey | HSK 3 |
| 觀看 | guānkàn | to watch; to view | HSK 3 |
| 樂觀 | lèguān | optimistic; hopeful | HSK 3 |
| 觀念 | guānniàn | notion; thought | HSK 3 |
| 客觀 | kèguān | objective; impartial | HSK 3 |
| 主觀 | zhǔguān | subjective | HSK 5 |
| 壯觀 | zhuàngguān | spectacular; magnificent sight | HSK 6 |
| 觀光 | guānguāng | to tour; sightseeing | HSK 6 |
| 外觀 | wàiguān | outward appearance | HSK 6 |
| 觀賞 | guānshǎng | to look at sth with pleasure; to watch (sth marvelous); ornamental | HSK 7-9 |
| 袖手旁觀 | xiùshǒu-pángguān | to watch with folded arms (idiom); to look on without lifting a finger | HSK 7-9 |
Questions about 觀
How many strokes are in 觀?
觀 is written with 25 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 觀 mean?
觀 (guān) means to observe, to spectate; appearance, view. A common word with it is 观点 (guāndiǎn), meaning "point of view; viewpoint".
How do you pronounce 觀?
觀 is pronounced guān, in the first tone (high and level).
What is the radical of 觀?
The radical of 觀 is 見, which carries the idea of "to see". Dictionaries list 觀 under this radical.
What is the simplified form of 觀?
觀 is a traditional character. Its simplified form is 观, used in mainland China and Singapore.
When is 觀 read guàn instead of guān?
It is read guàn when it means a Taoist monastery or temple, as in 道觀 (dàoguàn). In almost all other words, such as 觀看 and 觀念, it is guān.
What is the difference between 觀看 and 看?
看 (kàn) is the everyday word for look or watch. 觀看 (guānkàn) is more formal and is used for watching events, shows or performances, often in writing or announcements.