看热闹

看熱鬧

kànrènao

verb HSK 7-9 #26,704

Meanings

1 to watch the fun; to watch the excitement
2 to be a spectator; to rubberneck

Characters

to look; to watch

noisy; bustling

To watch the lively bustle — to watch the excitement as a spectator.

Examples

很多人围过去看热闹。

Hěnduō rén wéi guòqù kànrènao.

Many people crowded around to watch the excitement.

别看热闹了，快帮忙吧！

Bié kànrènao le, kuài bāngmáng ba!

Stop gawking and come help!

Tips

usage

看热闹 often carries a slightly negative connotation — watching others' troubles or conflicts for entertainment instead of helping. The saying 看热闹不嫌事大 means 'spectators love it when things escalate.'

Stroke Order

看 kàn

热 rè

闹 nào