verb HSK 3
Traditional 參觀
to visit · to tour · to look around
Meaning
参观 means to visit a place for the purpose of observing, learning, or sightseeing. It's typically used for visiting museums, factories, schools, exhibitions, or other places of interest. Unlike casual visits to friends, 参观 implies a more structured or educational purpose.
Usage
This is a formal to neutral verb commonly used when talking about visiting public places, cultural sites, or institutions. It often appears in guided tour contexts. Native speakers use it when the visit has an observational or learning component, not for casual social visits to people's homes.
Examples
- 01我们明天去参观故宫。.We're going to visit the Forbidden City tomorrow.
- 02欢迎大家来我们学校参观。.Everyone is welcome to visit our school.
Characters
Measure words
- 次参观了两次博物馆
Common collocations
- 参观博物馆to visit a museum
- 参观工厂to tour a factory
- 参观展览to visit an exhibition
- 欢迎参观welcome to visit
Origin
The word combines 参 (to participate) and 观 (to observe), literally meaning to participate in observing, which captures the active nature of educational or purposeful visiting.