verb HSK 5
Traditional 顧
to look after · to take into consideration · to attend to · to turn around and look
Meaning
顾 is a versatile verb that fundamentally means to turn one's head to look at something, but has evolved to mean caring for, considering, or paying attention to someone or something. It appears in many common compound words related to consideration and care.
Usage
顾 is rarely used alone in modern spoken Mandarin; it typically appears in compound words like 照顾 (to look after), 顾客 (customer), 不顾 (regardless of), and 顾虑 (worry/concern). In classical Chinese and formal writing, it can stand alone meaning 'to look back' or 'to consider'.
Examples
- 01我太忙了，顾不上吃饭。, .I'm too busy to find time to eat.
- 02做决定时要顾及他人的感受。.When making decisions, you should consider other people's feelings.
Common collocations
- 照顾好to take good care of
- 顾不上unable to attend to
- 回顾to look back; to review
- 顾及to take into account
Antonyms
Origin
The traditional form 顧 combines 雇 (to employ) with 頁 (head), suggesting the idea of turning one's head to look or directing attention toward something.