别看……，但是……
don’t judge by …; … may be so, but …
Structure
别看 表面情况 ， 但是／可是／却 实际情况
What it means
“Don't judge by …; … may be so, but …”: 别看 sets up an appearance, and the second clause overturns it.
How it is built
别看 + surface fact ， 但是／可是／却 + reality: 别看他才十岁，翻起跟头来比大人还利索 (he may be only ten, but he turns somersaults more nimbly than a grown-up).
When to use it
Spoken in tone and common in stories; the two halves must point in opposite directions. 别管 is different: it means 不管, “no matter”, takes alternatives or a question word, and is followed by 都／也.
Watch out
Don't put 虽然 in front of 别看: they do the same job. ✗ 虽然别看他小，可是很懂事 ✓ 别看他小，可是很懂事.
Examples
别看京剧舞台上常常只有一桌二椅，可是演员靠唱、念、做、打，就能演出千军万马。
The Peking opera stage may often hold nothing but a table and two chairs, yet with singing, speech, acting and combat the performers can conjure up whole armies.
别看他才十岁，翻起跟头来比大人还利索。
He may be only ten, but he turns somersaults more nimbly than a grown-up.
别看京胡只有两根弦，拉起来声音却又高又亮。
The jinghu may have only two strings, but its sound is high and bright.
Learn this in Lesson 100 · HSK 6–7: 京剧 (Peking opera)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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