坐井观天
坐井观天 (zuò jǐng guān tiān) literally means “sit in well view sky” and expresses “judge with limited perspective”. 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: zuo jing guan tian, zuo jing guan tian,坐井观天 meaning, 坐井观天 in english
Judge with limited perspective
Pronunciation: zuò jǐng guān tiān
Literal meaning: Sit in well view sky
Origin & Usage
This limiting idiom describes sitting (坐) in a well (井) while attempting to view (观) the sky (天), originating from philosophical debates during the Warring States period. It first appeared in texts critiquing narrow viewpoints resulting from limited experience. The well imagery created a powerful metaphor for how restricted perspective distorts understanding - from the bottom of a well, the sky appears as merely a small circle. During the Han Dynasty, it became associated with cautionary tales about scholars who refused to consider viewpoints outside their tradition. Modern usage criticizes narrow-mindedness resulting from limited exposure or experience, emphasizing how environmental constraints shape perception and judgment, particularly in cross-cultural or interdisciplinary contexts.
Examples
English: "Having never traveled abroad, his perspective on international relations was severely limited"
Chinese: 由于从未出国旅行，他对国际关系的看法非常有限
Discover a new Chinese idiom every day with our iOS app.
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 坐井观天 mean in English?
坐井观天 (zuò jǐng guān tiān) literally translates to “Sit in well view sky” and is used to express “Judge with limited perspective”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 坐井观天 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving judge with limited perspective.
What is the pinyin for 坐井观天?
The pinyin pronunciation for 坐井观天 is “zuò jǐng guān tiān”.