察今知古 — “To observe the present to understand the past”
察今知古 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to observe the present to understand the past”. To infer the past or original state of something by examining its current development or appearance. Literally, “Observe the present, know the past”.
察今知古 Pronunciation and Pinyin
察今知古 Character Breakdown
Stroke OrderExample Sentence with 察今知古
Idioms Related to 察今知古
More idioms starting with 察
- chá察sān三fǎng访sì四inquire about others' private affairs
- 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
- chá察yán颜guān观sè色read people's faces
Recommended tools
Stroke Order Animator
Turn a Chinese character or sentence into a GIF or MP4
Open the tool →
Writing Worksheets
Printable tracing sheets with a QR learning companion
Open the tool →
Picture Worksheets
Chinese and English fill-in vocabulary worksheets
Open the tool →
Character Highlight Animator
Choose character parts and animate their colors, together or in stroke order
Open the tool →Questions about 察今知古
What does 察今知古 mean?
察今知古 (chá jīn zhī gǔ) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to observe the present to understand the past”.
How do you pronounce 察今知古?
察今知古 is pronounced chá jīn zhī gǔ in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 察今知古 literally mean?
Literally, 察今知古 means “Observe the present, know the past”. It is used to mean “to observe the present to understand the past”.
What is the Chinese definition of 察今知古?
指事物的发展是一个过程。它总是循着时间的先后逐渐演变而成的。观察它的现在，可以推知它的本来面目。