明察秋毫
明察秋毫 (míng chá qiū háo) literally means “see autumn down clear” and expresses “perceive tiny details”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: ming cha qiu hao, ming cha qiu hao,明察秋毫 meaning, 明察秋毫 in english
Perceive tiny details
Pronunciation: míng chá qiū háo
Literal meaning: See autumn down clear
Origin & Usage
Drawing from ancient Chinese optics and medicine, this phrase describes the ability to clearly (明) observe (察) autumn (秋) down - the finest hair on an animal's body (毫). During the Han Dynasty, it became associated with legendary judge Bao Zheng, known for perceiving subtle details others missed. The autumn reference is significant - traditional Chinese medicine believed vision was clearest in fall. In contemporary use, it describes both literal visual acuity and metaphorical perceptiveness in analyzing complex situations.
Examples
English: "The detective noticed subtle inconsistencies others missed"
Chinese: 侦探注意到了别人忽略的细微矛盾
Discover a new Chinese idiom every day with our iOS app.
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 明察秋毫 mean in English?
明察秋毫 (míng chá qiū háo) literally translates to “See autumn down clear” and is used to express “Perceive tiny details”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 明察秋毫 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving perceive tiny details.
What is the pinyin for 明察秋毫?
The pinyin pronunciation for 明察秋毫 is “míng chá qiū háo”.