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明察秋毫. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
明察秋毫, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
明察秋毫 in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
明察秋毫 you have here. The definition of the word
明察秋毫 will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
明察秋毫, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Chinese
Etymology
From Mencius (《孟子·梁惠王上》):
曰：「有復於王者曰：『吾力足以舉百鈞』，而不足以舉一羽；『明足以察秋毫之末』，而不見輿薪，則王許之乎？」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
曰：「有复于王者曰：『吾力足以举百钧』，而不足以举一羽；『明足以察秋毫之末』，而不见舆薪，则王许之乎？」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]- From: Mencius, c. 4th century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
- Yuē: “Yǒu fù yú wáng zhě yuē: ‘Wú lì zúyǐ jǔ bǎi jūn’, ér bù zúyǐ jǔ yī yǔ; ‘míng zúyǐ chá qiūháo zhī mò’, ér bùjiàn yú xīn, zé wáng xǔ zhī hū?”
- Mencius replied, "Suppose a man were to make this statement to your Majesty: 'My strength is sufficient to lift three thousand catties, but it is not sufficient to lift one feather; my eyesight is sharp enough to examine the point of an autumn hair, but I do not see a wagon-load of faggots;' would your Majesty allow what he said?"
Pronunciation
Idiom
明察秋毫
- to perceive the minutest details