察言观行 chá yán guān xíng Observe words and deeds

Explanation

指仔细观察别人的言谈举止，以了解其为人。

To carefully observe someone's words and actions to understand their character.

Origin Story

话说唐朝时期，有一位名叫李白的诗人，他一生放荡不羁，但才华横溢。有一次，他应邀参加一个宴会，席间，他观察到一位官员，虽然衣着华丽，但言行举止却显得拘谨，言语之间也缺乏自信。李白暗中观察他的言行，发现他虽然表面风光，却暗藏许多心事。通过细致的观察，李白判断出这位官员内心并不快乐，虽然身居高位，却缺乏真正的快乐和满足。宴会结束后，李白写了一首诗，表达了他对这位官员的同情和理解，并劝诫他应该放下包袱，活出真实的自我。此后，这位官员深受感动，改变了以前的生活方式，变得更加开朗自信。

huà shuō táng cháo shí qī, yǒu yī wèi míng jiào lǐ bái de shī rén, tā yī shēng fàng dàng bù jī, dàn cái huá héng yì. yǒu yī cì, tā yìng yāo cān jiā yī gè yàn huì, xí jiān, tā guān chá dào yī wèi guān yuán, suī rán yī zhuó huá lì, dàn yán xíng jǔ zhǐ què xiǎn de jū jǐn, yán yǔ zhī jiān yě quē fá zì xìn. lǐ bái àn zhōng guān chá tā de yán xíng, fā xiàn tā suī rán biǎo miàn fēng guāng, què àn cáng xǔ duō xīn shì. tōng guò xì zhì de guān chá, lǐ bái pàn duàn chū zhè wèi guān yuán nèi xīn bìng bù kuài lè, suī rán shēn jū gāo wèi, què quē fá zhēn zhèng de kuài lè hé mǎn zú. yàn huì jié shù hòu, lǐ bái xiě le yī shǒu shī, biǎo dá le tā duì zhè wèi guān yuán de tóng qíng hé lǐ jiě, bìng quàn jiè tā yīng gāi fàng xià bāo fu, huó chū zhēn shí de zì wǒ. cǐ hòu, zhè wèi guān yuán shēn shòu gǎn dòng, gǎi biàn le yǐ qián de shēng huó fāng shì, biàn de gèng jiā kāi lǎng zì xìn.

In the Tang Dynasty, there was a poet named Li Bai, who lived a flamboyant life but was exceptionally talented. Once, he was invited to a banquet. There, he observed an official who, despite being richly dressed, was reserved and insecure in his demeanor. Li Bai secretly observed his words and actions, discovering that despite his outward brilliance, he harbored many worries. Through careful observation, Li Bai concluded that this official was inwardly unhappy, lacking true joy and contentment despite his high position. After the banquet, Li Bai wrote a poem expressing his sympathy and understanding for the official, urging him to let go of his burdens and live his true self. Afterward, the official was deeply moved, changing his lifestyle and becoming more cheerful and confident.

Usage

用于形容仔细观察他人言行以了解其为人。

yòng yú xiáoróng zǐ xì guān chá tá rén yán xíng yǐ liǎo jiě qí wéi rén

Used to describe carefully observing someone's words and actions to understand their character.

Examples

• 他为人处世非常谨慎，善于察言观行。

  tā wéi rén chǔ shì fēi cháng jǐn shèn, shàn yú chá yán guān xíng

  He is very cautious in dealing with people and is good at observing their words and actions.

• 领导察言观行，发现员工士气低落，立即采取措施改善。

  lǐng dǎo chá yán guān xíng, fā xiàn yuán gōng shì qì dī luò, lì jí cǎi qǔ cuò shī gǎi shàn

  The leader observed the words and actions of his employees and found that their morale was low, so he immediately took measures to improve it.

• 古人云：‘察言观行，而善恶彰焉。’

  gǔ rén yún: ‘chá yán guān xíng, ér shàn è zhāng yān。’

  The ancients said: 'Observe words and deeds, and good and evil will be evident.'

Related Idioms

• 观风察听

• 明察秋毫

Opposite Idioms

• 视而不见

• 漠不关心