显得 vs 看起来 (comes across as vs looks)
The impression you give off
- Both touch "appears / looks" — but to seem显得 stresses the impression given.
- seemingly看起来 = "looks (neutral appearance)".
- to seem显得 = "comes across as / appears" — often caused by something, comparative.
to seem显得 + Adj = "comes across as"
- 这件clothes衣服to seem显得you你很瘦 = "this outfit makes you look slim."
this这(measure word)件outfit衣服makes (one) look显得you你slim瘦。
- to seem显得you你很瘦 = "makes you look slim."
Practice
This outfit makes you look slim: 这件衣服 ____ 你很瘦。
显得 = makes (one) look / comes across as: 显得你很瘦.
seemingly看起来 = looks (neutral)
- he / him他seemingly看起来very很young年轻 = "he looks young." (a plain observation)
he他looks看起来very很young年轻。
- seemingly看起来very很young年轻 = "looks very young."
Explore
Which fits the cue better?
看起来 reports any appearance; 显得 wants a cause or contrast that BRINGS OUT the impression — so when a cause is on stage, 显得 is the sharper choice.
Practice
Which stresses an impression often caused by something?
显得 = comes across as (an impression); 看起来 = a neutral look.
Practice
看起来 is the more neutral “looks”.
Yes — 看起来年轻 (just looks); 显得年轻 (gives a young impression).
Recap
Key idea
- seemingly看起来 = looks (neutral appearance)
- to seem显得 = comes across as / appears (an impression, often caused / comparative)
- seemingly看起来young年轻 (just looks) vs to seem显得young年轻 (gives off a young impression)
Read the full reference: HSK 5 grammar — Comparing similar verbs.