Result Complement 见 (jiàn) – Sensory Perception

Pattern

• Verb + 见 + Object
• 看/听/闻 + 见

Usage

• The result complement 见 (jiàn) is specifically paired with sensory verbs such as 看 (to look), 听 (to listen), and 闻 (to smell).
• It transforms an intentional action into its perceptual outcome: 看见 means “to see” (visual acquisition), 听见 means “to hear” (auditory perception), and 闻见 means “to smell” (olfactory perception).
• This distinguishes the physical attempt from the sensory realization: 看 is merely looking, whereas 看见 confirms seeing the object.

Examples

1. 1

   我看见他了。

   Wǒ kànjiàn tā le.

   I saw him.

2. 2

   你听见外面的声音了吗?

   Nǐ tīngjiàn wàimiàn de shēngyīn le ma?

   Did you hear the noise outside?

3. 3

   我没看见你的猫。

   Wǒ méi kànjiàn nǐ de māo.

   I didn't see your cat.