視

The deliberate direction of the gaze. This includes:

1. Inspection: The physical act of observing with purpose; examining or scrutinizing.

2. Appraisal: Regarding, treating, or considering as (especially when followed by a quality or category).

3. Oversight: Supervising, managing, or governing in administrative or political contexts.

When functioning as a transitive verb where the object is qualified by another noun or adjective, prioritize the evaluative sense ("regard as").

Unlike 見 (which often denotes the moment of perception or the result of seeing), 視 emphasizes the process of intentionally directing the gaze. Compared to 觀 (a broader survey or contemplation) and 察 (forensic scrutiny of minute detail), 視 is more pointed and focused; it is often the prerequisite act that leads to 察.

Simplified variant: 视. Semantic variant: 𠔎 (U+770E). Tang-period reading: *zhǐ zhì.