guānguàn

observe

Simplified form of . Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Components
见 meaning component

  Meaning component

jiànxiàn

  

see

又 simplified component

  Simplified component

yòu

  

(hand), again

Shorthand for the component in the traditional character .

Evolution

观 Oracle script (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle script

(~1250-1000 BC)
观 Bronze script Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze script

Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
观 Seal script Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal script

Shuowen (~100 AD)
观 Clerical script Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical script

Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
观 Traditional script Modern

Traditional script

Modern
观 Simplified script Modern

Simplified script

Modern
Definitions

() 

guān

see, observe, view; appearance; to look at; to watch; to observe; to behold; to advise; concept; point of view; outlook

() 

Guàn

surname Guan

() 

guàn

Taoist monastery; palace gate watchtower; platform

Most common words with 观
Freq.
Word
Meaning

观众

spectators

观察

to observe

观点

point of view

to look at

观看

to watch