kàndào: 看到 - To See, To Catch Sight Of

Keywords: kandao, kan dao, 看到, to see in Chinese, Chinese grammar, resultative complement, catch sight of, notice, what does kandao mean, difference between kan and kandao, HSK 1 Chinese word

Summary: Learn the essential Chinese verb 看到 (kàndào), which means “to see” or “to catch sight of.” This page breaks down how 看到 is different from just “看 (kàn)” (to look) by introducing the crucial concept of resultative complements in Chinese grammar. Discover how this simple but powerful word is used in daily conversation, with dozens of practical examples, cultural insights, and tips to avoid common mistakes, making it a perfect guide for beginner learners of Mandarin.

Pinyin (with tone marks): kàndào

Part of Speech: Verb (Resultative Verb Compound)

HSK Level: HSK 1

Concise Definition: To successfully see something; to catch sight of or notice an object.

In a Nutshell: Think of 看到 (kàndào) as “look and succeed.” It combines the action of looking, 看 (kàn), with a result, 到 (dào), which means “to arrive” or “to achieve.” So, you aren't just directing your eyes somewhere; you are confirming that the image “arrived” in your brain. It's the difference between “I'm looking at the screen” and “I see the typo on the screen.”

看 (kàn): This character is a combination of a hand (手) over an eye (目). Picture someone shading their eyes with their hand to get a better look at something in the distance. It represents the physical action of looking.

到 (dào): This character means “to arrive,” “to reach,” or to