观
guān
see
At a glance · 观

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Evolution of the glyph

Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.

观 Evolution of the glyph
  1. 观 Object sketch
    Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
  2. 观 Oracle bone
    Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
  3. 观 Seal script
    Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
  4. 观 Clerical script
    Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
  5. 观 Regular script
    Regular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE
Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

⚠ Some ancient forms are not attested:oracle bone form、seal script form。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.

「观」繁体「觀」从见雚声,小篆从見雚声,形声清晰。

What the sketch shows

观 Object sketch

Origins & notes

「观」本义为观看、观察,读guàn时指楼观、寺观。

Structure

从见、雚(guàn)声,形声字,见表视义类,雚表音。简作观。

At a glance

Pinyinguān
Radical见
Strokes6
UnicodeU+89C2
Character type形声
Theme建筑

Six languages, one character

Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.

English see see, observe, view; appearance
Français pavillon / observer Pavillon, observer. «楼观飞惊» : les galeries aériennes.
Español pabellón / observar Pabellón, observar. «楼观飞惊»: las galerías aéreas.
العربية جناح / يراقب جناح، يراقب. «楼观飞惊»: الأروقة الهوائية.
Русский павильон / наблюдать Павильон, наблюдать. «楼观飞惊»: воздушные галереи.

Common words

  • 观察guān cháobserve
  • 观众guān zhòngaudience