Learn a Chinese Character - 观

1. Character Basics

Radical: 又/yòu (hand), 见/jiàn (see)

Stroke Count: 6

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: Guān (First tone)

3. Meaning

Basic Meaning: To watch; to observe; to view; to look at; to contemplate; to observe; to watch; to see; to regard; to consider.

Extended Meaning: Outlook; viewpoint; concept; idea; to inspect; to examine; to survey; to take a look at; to watch a show; to view scenery; to contemplate life; to observe nature; to consider carefully.

4. Common Words

• 观察 (guān chá) - To observe, to watch carefully

  Example: 科学家仔细观察动物的行为。 (Scientists carefully observe animal behavior.)

• 观点 (guān diǎn) - Point of view, viewpoint

  Example: 我们的观点不同，但可以互相尊重。 (Our viewpoints are different, but we can respect each other.)

• 观光 (guān guāng) - Sightseeing, to visit tourist attractions

  Example: 他们去北京观光了。 (They went sightseeing in Beijing.)

• 观众 (guān zhòng) - Audience, spectators

  Example: 剧场里坐满了观众。 (The theater was full of spectators.)

• 景观 (jǐng guān) - Landscape, scenery, view

  Example: 这里的自然景观很美。 (The natural scenery here is very beautiful.)

5. Grammar & Usage

As a verb (观 guān):

• 观 + Object: To look at something

  Example: 观花 (to admire flowers), 观星 (to stargaze)

• 观 + Adv: To observe in a certain way

  Example: 仔细观 (to observe carefully), 认真观 (to observe earnestly)

• 观 + 于/在 + Location: To observe at a place

  Example: 观于山上 (to observe on the mountain)

As a noun (观 guān):

• Object + 观: A perspective on something

  Example: 世界观 (worldview), 价值观 (values), 审美观 (aesthetic view)

Common structures:

• 坐观其变 (zuò guān qí biàn) - To sit back and watch developments
• 观棋不语 (guān qí bù yǔ) - To watch chess without speaking (idiom meaning to not interfere when others are doing something)
• 叹为观止 (tàn wéi guān zhǐ) - To acclaim as the peak of perfection

6. Cultural Background

In Chinese culture, the character "观" (guān) has deep philosophical implications. It's often associated with the concept of observation and contemplation, which are important practices in both Confucianism and Daoism.

One of the most famous philosophical works in Chinese history is "道德经" (Daodejing), attributed to Laozi, which emphasizes the importance of observing nature to understand the Dao (the Way). The idea of "观天下" (guān tiān xià) - observing the world - is a recurring theme in Chinese philosophy.

In traditional Chinese painting, the concept of "以大观小" (yǐ dà guān xiǎo) - seeing the small from the perspective of the large - is a fundamental principle. This approach encourages artists to capture the essence of a scene rather than just its outward appearance.

The character "观" is also used in many important cultural terms, such as "观光" (guān guāng) - sightseeing, which has become a significant part of China's tourism industry today.

Additionally, "观" appears in the names of many temples and monasteries in China, such as "白云观" (Bái Yún Guàn) - White Cloud Temple in Beijing, reflecting its association with contemplation and spiritual observation.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

1. Component Breakdown:

The character "观" (guān) is composed of two parts: "又" (yòu - hand) and "见" (jiàn - see). You can think of it as "using your hand to shade your eyes while looking" - like shading your eyes with your hand to see better.

2. Phonetic Association:

The pinyin "guān" sounds similar to the English word "guan" (like in "guano"). You could imagine watching seabirds (guano producers) to remember the pronunciation.

3. Visual Image:

Picture yourself as a watchman in a tower, observing the surroundings. This helps connect the character's meaning with its form.

4. Practice with Common Words:

Write sentences using words like "观察" (guān chá - observe), "观点" (guān diǎn - viewpoint), and "观光" (guān guāng - sightseeing). Repetition will help solidify your memory of the character.