zhàokàn: 照看 - To Look After, To Take Care Of, To Watch Over

• Keywords: zhaokan, zhàokàn, 照看, take care of Chinese, look after in Chinese, watch over, Chinese verb for babysitting, care for parents in Chinese, 照顾 vs 照看, how to use zhaokan.
• Summary: Learn how to use the common Chinese verb 照看 (zhàokàn), which means “to look after,” “to take care of,” or “to watch over.” This page provides a deep dive for beginners, breaking down the characters, explaining the cultural importance of caring for family, and offering many practical example sentences. Discover the key difference between 照看 (zhàokàn) and its close relative 照顾 (zhàogù) to sound more like a native speaker when talking about babysitting, caring for the elderly, or just watching a friend's bag.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zhàokàn
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To look after, watch over, or attend to someone or something, usually for a specific period.
• In a Nutshell: `照看` is the action of actively supervising someone or something to ensure their safety and well-being. Think of it as keeping a watchful eye. It's the word you'd use for babysitting a child for an afternoon, looking after a sick friend for a day, or asking someone to watch your luggage for a minute. It implies direct, physical presence and a sense of responsibility for that time.

• 照 (zhào): The primary meaning of `照` is “to shine,” “to illuminate,” or “to reflect.” Think of a lamp shining light on something. In this context, it carries the sense of focusing your attention, as if you are shining a spotlight on the person or thing you are responsible for.
• 看 (kàn): This character is simpler and very common, meaning “to look,” “to watch,” or “to see.”
• Together, `照看 (zhàokàn)` literally combines “to shine a light on” and “to look.” This creates a vivid image of giving focused, careful attention to someone or something, ensuring nothing goes wrong under your watch.

• Family Responsibility: The concept of `照看` is deeply tied to Chinese cultural values, especially family and community responsibility. There is a strong societal expectation that children will `照看` their parents in old age. This is a core component of 孝顺 (xiàoshùn) - filial piety, the virtue of respect and care for one's parents and elders.
• Comparison with “Babysitting”: In Western culture, “babysitting” is often seen as a transactional job, something you hire a teenager to do. While you can certainly hire a nanny (`保姆 bǎomǔ`) to `照看` a child in China, the word itself is most frequently used within a web of familial or community obligations. A grandparent will `照看` their grandchild, an older sibling will `照看` a younger one, and a neighbor might `照看` your apartment while you're on vacation. The act carries a weight of relational duty more than just being a paid service. It's a fundamental way people show they care and fulfill their role in the family or community.

`照看` is a versatile and common verb used in everyday conversation. It's generally neutral and can be used in both informal and slightly formal situations.

• Caring for People: This is its most common usage. It's the go-to verb for short-term to medium-term care of children, the sick, or the elderly.
  • “My mom is helping me look after my son.”
• Watching Belongings: It's perfect for asking someone to watch your things for a moment. This is a very frequent and practical use.
  • “Could you help me watch my bag for a second?”
• Pets and Plants: You can also use it for looking after pets, plants, or a home.
  • “Who's going to look after your cat while you're traveling?”

The tone is practical and action-oriented. It's less about deep, emotional love (`爱护 àihù`) and more about the responsible act of supervision.

• Example 1:
  • 我晚上有事，你能帮我照看一下孩子吗？
  • Pinyin: Wǒ wǎnshang yǒushì, nǐ néng bāng wǒ zhàokàn yíxià háizi ma?
  • English: I have something on tonight, can you help me look after the child for a bit?
  • Analysis: This is a classic example of asking for a favor, likely between friends, relatives, or neighbors. The `一下 (yíxià)` softens the request, indicating it's for a short period.
• Example 2:
  • 奶奶年纪大了，需要有人照看。
  • Pinyin: Nǎinai niánjì dà le, xūyào yǒurén zhàokàn.
  • English: Grandma is old now and needs someone to look after her.
  • Analysis: This sentence describes a state of need. It highlights the responsibility of caring for the elderly, a core cultural value.
• Example 3:
  • 你去洗手间吧，我帮你照看行李。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ qù xǐshǒujiān ba, wǒ bāng nǐ zhàokàn xíngli.
  • English: You go to the restroom, I'll watch your luggage for you.
  • Analysis: A very common and practical use in public spaces like airports or train stations. `照看` here simply means “to keep an eye on.”
• Example 4:
  • 他病了，所以今天我得在家照看他。
  • Pinyin: Tā bìng le, suǒyǐ jīntiān wǒ děi zài jiā zhàokàn tā.
  • English: He's sick, so I have to stay home and take care of him today.
  • Analysis: Here, `照看` implies attending to the needs of a sick person, like giving them medicine, water, and general supervision.
• Example 5:
  • 我们旅行的时候，邻居会帮我们照看猫。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen lǚxíng de shíhou, línjū huì bāng wǒmen zhàokàn māo.
  • English: When we travel, our neighbor will help us look after our cat.
  • Analysis: This shows that `照看` extends to pets. It's about providing basic care like feeding and ensuring the pet is safe.
• Example 6:
  • 姐姐从小就照看我，她像我妈妈一样。
  • Pinyin: Jiějie cóngxiǎo jiù zhàokàn wǒ, tā xiàng wǒ māma yíyàng.
  • English: My older sister has looked after me since I was little; she's like a mother to me.
  • Analysis: This usage implies a longer-term responsibility undertaken by a family member. While `照顾 (zhàogù)` could also be used here, `照看` emphasizes the supervisory role the older sister played.
• Example 7:
  • 麻烦您照看一下我的店，我很快就回来。
  • Pinyin: Máfán nín zhàokàn yíxià wǒ de diàn, wǒ hěn kuài jiù huílái.
  • English: Could I trouble you to watch my shop for a moment? I'll be right back.
  • Analysis: This shows `照看` being used in a commercial context, asking someone to mind the store. `麻烦您 (máfán nín)` makes the request polite.
• Example 8:
  • 这几天，医生和护士们都在尽心尽力地照看病人。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jǐ tiān, yīshēng hé hùshi men dōu zài jìnxīn-jìnlì de zhàokàn bìngrén.
  • English: These past few days, the doctors and nurses have been doing their utmost to look after the patients.
  • Analysis: In a professional context like a hospital, `照看` describes the diligent monitoring and care provided to patients.
• Example 9:
  • 哥哥，妈妈让你照看弟弟，不让他玩电脑游戏。
  • Pinyin: Gēge, māma ràng nǐ zhàokàn dìdi, bù ràng tā wán diànnǎo yóuxì.
  • English: Big brother, Mom told you to watch over little brother and not let him play computer games.
  • Analysis: This perfectly illustrates the “supervision” aspect of `照看`. The task isn't just passive watching, but actively enforcing a rule.
• Example 10:
  • 请照看好你的个人物品。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng zhàokàn hǎo nǐ de gèrén wùpǐn.
  • English: Please look after your personal belongings well.
  • Analysis: This is a common formal announcement you might hear in a public place. The `好 (hǎo)` after the verb acts as a result complement, emphasizing the need to do the action “well” or “properly.”

The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between `照看 (zhàokàn)` and `照顾 (zhàogù)`. They are not always interchangeable.

• `照看 (zhàokàn)` vs. `照顾 (zhàogù)`
  • `照看` is about supervision and watching over. It's more focused on the immediate, practical task of ensuring safety. It emphasizes the “looking” and “attending” part.
    • Correct: 帮我照看一下孩子，我去买菜。(Help me watch the kids for a bit, I'm going grocery shopping.)
  • `照顾 (zhàogù)` is broader, implying holistic care. It includes not just supervision but also emotional support, health, daily life, and overall well-being, often over a longer period. It's about taking full responsibility for someone.
    • Correct: 他一生都在照顾他生病的妻子。(He spent his whole life caring for his sick wife.)
• Common Mistake: Using `照看` for long-term, comprehensive care.
  • Incorrect: 我要照看我的父母一辈子。(I need to supervise my parents for their whole lives.)
    • Why it's wrong: This sounds clinical and distant, as if you're just a security guard for your parents.
  • Correct: 我要照顾我的父母一辈子。(I need to take care of my parents for their whole lives.)
    • Why it's right: This conveys the deep, all-encompassing care (financial, emotional, physical) that is expected.
• `照看` vs. `关心 (guānxīn)`
  • Don't confuse `照看` (physical action) with `关心` (emotional state). `关心` means “to be concerned about.” You can `关心` your friend who lives in another country, but you can only `照看` them if you are physically there to help.

• 照顾 (zhàogù) - A very close synonym, but implies broader, more comprehensive, and longer-term care.
• 看管 (kānguǎn) - To guard or look after, but with a much stronger sense of security, preventing theft, loss, or escape. Often used for property, warehouses, or prisoners.
• 关心 (guānxīn) - To be concerned about; refers to emotional care and worry rather than physical action.
• 爱护 (àihù) - To cherish, treasure, or take good care of out of affection. Used for people, animals, and public property.
• 保护 (bǎohù) - To protect; to shield from danger, damage, or harm.
• 看孩子 (kàn háizi) - A very colloquial and direct way to say “to watch the kids” or “to babysit.”
• 孝顺 (xiàoshùn) - The core cultural value of filial piety, which is the driving reason why many people `照看` or `照顾` their elderly parents.
• 帮忙 (bāngmáng) - To help or lend a hand. Often used in requests: `帮我照看一下` (Help me watch this for a bit).