察颜观色 — “Observe face, watch expression”
察颜观色 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to observe someone's facial expressions and demeanor carefully in order to understand their thoughts, feelings, or intentions; to read someone's face”. Literally, “Observe face, watch expression”.
察颜观色 Pronunciation and Pinyin
察颜观色 Character Breakdown
Stroke OrderExample Sentence with 察颜观色
Origin and Story of 察颜观色
During the late Spring and Autumn Period, Zizhang, a student of Confucius, advocated that scholars should be diligent in public service, respect the wise, and be tolerant of the common people.
Confucius often discussed with him the distinction between 'tongda' (通达, being perceptive and broad-minded) and 'wenda' (闻达, being famous or influential).
Confucius defined 'tongda' as possessing an upright character, being reasonable, skilled at analyzing others' words, observing others' facial expressions and demeanor, and being willing to yield to others from the heart.
This idiom, '察颜观色,' stems from Confucius's teachings on 'tongda,' emphasizing the importance of carefully observing others to understand their thoughts and feelings, which is crucial for virtuous conduct and harmonious human relations.
Idioms Related to 察颜观色
More idioms starting with 察
- chá察sān三fǎng访sì四inquire about others' private affairs
- chá察jīn今zhī知gǔ古observe present to know past
- chá察chá察wéi为míng明to nitpick trivial matters
- chá察chá察ér而míng明Meticulously clear but superficial
- chá察jǐ己zhī知rén人understand others by examining oneself
- chá察jiàn见yuān渊yú鱼overly perceptive or shrewd
- chá察yán言guān观sè色read people's words and expressions
- chá察yán言guān观xíng行observe words and actions to know a person
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Open the tool →Questions about 察颜观色
What does 察颜观色 mean?
察颜观色 (chá yán guān sè) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to observe someone's facial expressions and demeanor carefully in order to understand their thoughts, feelings, or intentions; to read someone's face”.
How do you pronounce 察颜观色?
察颜观色 is pronounced chá yán guān sè in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 察颜观色 literally mean?
Literally, 察颜观色 means “Observe face, watch expression”. It is used to mean “to observe someone's facial expressions and demeanor carefully in order to understand their thoughts, feelings, or intentions; to read someone's face”.
Where does 察颜观色 come from?
察颜观色 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to the modern era. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 察颜观色?
观察别人的脸色，以揣摩其心意。