隔岸观火 — “To watch a fire from across the river”
隔岸观火 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to watch a fire from across the river”. To stand by and watch others' troubles without offering help, often with indifference or awaiting an opportune moment for oneself. Literally, “Watch a fire from the other bank”.
Frequency
隔岸观火 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- 隔gé
- 岸àn
- 观guān
- 火huǒ
隔岸观火 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 隔岸观火
面对同事的困境，他不应该隔岸观火，而应该主动帮忙。
He shouldn't stand idly by and watch his colleague's predicament; instead, he should actively offer help.
Idioms Related to 隔岸观火
Synonyms of 隔岸观火
Antonyms of 隔岸观火
More idioms starting with 隔
- gé隔sǎn三chà岔wǔ五every now and then
- gé隔sān三chà差wǔ五every now and then
- gé隔shì世zhī之gǎn感a feeling of profound change
- gé隔qiáng墙yǒu有ěr耳Walls have ears
- gé隔qiáng墙xū须yǒu有ěr耳，，chuāng窗wài外qǐ岂wú无rén人Walls have ears
- gé隔bì壁tīng听huà话boast without substance
- gé隔bì壁cuān撺chuán椽attempt the impossible
- gé隔sù宿zhī之chóu仇an old grudge
- gé隔wū屋cuān撺chuán椽Attempt the impossible
- gé隔shān山mǎi买lǎo老niú牛Act rashly without understanding the situation
- gé隔nián年huáng皇lì历outdated and irrelevant
- gé隔pí皮duàn断huò货Judge quality by external appearance
Questions about 隔岸观火
- What does 隔岸观火 mean?
- 隔岸观火 (gé àn guān huǒ) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to watch a fire from across the river”.
- How do you pronounce 隔岸观火?
- 隔岸观火 is pronounced gé àn guān huǒ in Mandarin Chinese.
- What does 隔岸观火 literally mean?
- Literally, 隔岸观火 means “Watch a fire from the other bank”. It is used to mean “to watch a fire from across the river”.
- What is the Chinese definition of 隔岸观火?
- 隔着河看人家着火。比喻对别人的危难不去求助，在一旁看热闹。