士别三日，刮目相待 — “To look at someone with new eyes”
士别三日，刮目相待 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to look at someone with new eyes”. Recognizing their significant progress and development after a period of absence. It implies that one should not judge a person by their past self, but acknowledge their present improvements and capabilities. Literally, “After a scholar's absence of three days, one should rub their eyes and look anew”.
士别三日，刮目相待 Pronunciation and Pinyin
士别三日，刮目相待 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 士别三日，刮目相待
Origin and Story of 士别三日，刮目相待
The idiom "士别三日，刮目相待" (After three days' absence, a scholar should be looked at with new eyes) comes from the Three Kingdoms period in China, involving Lü Meng and Lu Su from the state of Eastern Wu. Lü Meng was initially known for not being very studious or well-read. Lu Su, a prominent general and strategist, once held a rather low opinion of Lü Meng's intellectual capacity.
However, after the death of Zhou Yu, Lü Meng succeeded him as the Grand Commander of Eastern Wu. When Lu Su met Lü Meng again after a period, he was astonished by Lü Meng's profound knowledge and strategic insights, particularly in military affairs.
Lu Su, greatly surprised, jokingly remarked, "Now, you are no longer the 'A Meng' from Wu County!" Lü Meng famously replied, "When a scholar parts for three days, he should be looked at with new eyes!"
This phrase later became a widely used idiom to praise someone for their rapid progress and significant improvements in knowledge or ability in a relatively short time.
Idioms Related to 士别三日，刮目相待
More idioms starting with 士
- shì士wèi为zhī知jǐ己zhě者sǐ死Die for one's true patron
- shì士nóng农gōng工shāng商scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants
- shì士bié别sān三rì日，，dāng当guā刮mù目xiāng相dài待Look at someone with new eyes
- shì士kě可shā杀bù不kě可rǔ辱Rather die than suffer humiliation
- shì士sǐ死zhī知jǐ己A devoted person dies for a true friend
- shì士shēn绅míng名liú流dignitaries and social elites
- shì士bǎo饱mǎ马téng腾soldiers well-fed, horses vigorous, high morale
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Open the tool →Questions about 士别三日，刮目相待
What does 士别三日，刮目相待 mean?
士别三日，刮目相待 (shì bié sān rì ， guā mù xiāng dài) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to look at someone with new eyes”.
How do you pronounce 士别三日，刮目相待?
士别三日，刮目相待 is pronounced shì bié sān rì ， guā mù xiāng dài in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 士别三日，刮目相待 literally mean?
Literally, 士别三日，刮目相待 means “After a scholar's absence of three days, one should rub their eyes and look anew”. It is used to mean “to look at someone with new eyes”.
Where does 士别三日，刮目相待 come from?
士别三日，刮目相待 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 士别三日，刮目相待?
指别人已有进步，当另眼相看。