HSK 5 · VERSION 2.0#103
Comparing “kàn qǐlái” and “kànlái”
看起来 vs 看来
Comparison section · original #10 · level order #103
How it works
Both 看起来 (kàn qǐlái) and 看来 (kànlái) can be translated as something like “it seems,” but they are different.
看起来 (kàn qǐlái) is based more on appearance or external impression.
看来 (kànlái) is based more on judgment from the situation or evidence.
Example sentences
他今天看起来有点儿累，可能昨晚没休息好。
He looks a little tired today; maybe he did not rest well last night.
从目前掌握的情况看来，这个计划暂时还不能马上执行。
Judging from the situation we currently understand, this plan still cannot be carried out immediately.
这家店看起来不大，看来生意却一直不错。
This shop does not look big, but it seems that business has been good all along.
Key point
A simple distinction:
看起来 (kàn qǐlái) = appearance-based impression
看来 (kànlái) = reasoning-based judgment