Set Phrases: “看上去 / 看起来”
Meaning
The expressions 看上去 (kàn shàngqù) and 看起来 (kàn qǐlái) are used to describe the appearance, condition, or general impression of a person or thing.
They can usually be translated as:
“look…”
“seem…”
“appear to be…”
Basic Structure
Person / Thing + 看上去 + Adjective
Person / Thing + 看起来 + Adjective
In this usage, 看上去 and 看起来 have almost the same meaning.
Examples
他们看上去有点儿像
看上去 → look / appear
有点儿像 → look a little alike
这些菜看起来都很好吃
看起来 → look / appear
很好吃 → delicious
那个新来的老师看上去很年轻
看上去 → looks / appears
很年轻 → very young
Remember
看上去 ≈ 看起来
Both expressions are used when we describe someone or something based on its appearance or the impression it gives.
看上去很累
看起来很漂亮
看上去不错
Quick Formula
Person / Thing + 看上去 / 看起来 + Adjective
看上去 / 看起来 = “look / seem / appear”