verb HSK 5
Traditional 覽
to look at · to view · to read · to peruse
Meaning
览 means to look at something broadly or to view/read something, often with a sense of surveying or taking in the whole picture. It appears frequently in formal or literary contexts and in compound words related to viewing, reading, or surveying.
Usage
览 is more formal than 看 (to look) and rarely appears alone in everyday speech. It's most commonly used in compounds like 浏览 (to browse), 展览 (exhibition), 游览 (to go sightseeing), and 阅览 (to read/peruse). When used alone, it appears mainly in written language or set phrases.
Examples
- 01我想去博物馆游览一下。.I want to go visit the museum for a tour.
- 02他每天早上都会浏览新闻。.He browses the news every morning.
Common collocations
- 浏览网页to browse web pages
- 展览会exhibition, expo
- 游览胜地scenic spot, tourist attraction
- 阅览室reading room
Origin
The traditional form 覽 combines 見 (to see) with a phonetic component. The character originally conveyed the idea of comprehensive viewing or surveying a broad scene.