察言觀色

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See also: 察言观色

Chinese

examine; inquire; observe
examine; inquire; observe; inspect; look into; to examine
 
to speak; to say; talk
to speak; to say; talk; word
 
to look at; to watch; to observe
to look at; to watch; to observe; to behold; Taoist monastery
 
colour; dice; look
colour; dice; look; appearance
 
trad. (察言觀色) 察 言 觀 色
simp. (察言观色) 察 言 观 色

Etymology

From the Analects, Book 12 (《論語·顏淵》):

夫達也者，質直而好義，察言而觀色，慮以下人。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
夫达也者，质直而好义，察言而观色，虑以下人。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Fú dá yě zhě, zhì zhí ér hào yì, chá yán ér guān sè, lǜ yǐ xià rén.
The man of distinction is solid and straightforward, and loves righteousness. He examines people's words, and looks at their countenances. He is anxious to humble himself to others.

Pronunciation

Idiom

察言觀色

  1. to read a person (to interpret or infer a meaning or significance based on facial expression, tone of voice etc)

See also

Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia