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HSK 2.0 Level 6+ HSK 3.0 Level 7–9+ 5 min read

别看...，... for “Don’t Be Fooled by …”

Use 别看……，…… to say that something looks one way on the surface, but the truth is different.

Pattern

别看 + surface fact，+ (subject) + 可/却/其实/倒 + real situation

别看 points to something that might give the wrong impression, and the second clause tells the listener what is really true.

别看他年纪小，懂的东西可不少。

When to use 别看...，... for “Don’t Be Fooled by …”

别看 literally means “don’t look at”, but in this pattern it means “don’t be fooled by the fact that …”. The first clause states something true that might make people draw the wrong conclusion. The second clause gives the surprising real situation.

别看这家饭馆不大，菜的味道可一点儿也不差。

This restaurant may be small, but the food is not bad at all.

别看今天出太阳了，外面其实挺冷的。

Don’t be fooled by the sunshine today. It’s actually quite cold outside.

别看她平时话不多，上台演讲却一点儿也不紧张。

She doesn’t usually say much, but when she gives a speech on stage, she isn’t nervous at all.

别看我们学校旧，图书馆里的书可多了。

Our school may be old, but there are loads of books in the library.

Common traps

  • Don’t read 别看 literally as “don’t look”: in this pattern it means “don’t be fooled by”.
  • The first clause must be something that gives a wrong impression; the second clause must contrast with it.
  • Don’t mix up 别看 (“it may seem …, but”) with 别说 (“let alone”).

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

他个子不高，篮球打得可好了

He isn’t tall, but he plays basketball really well
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