刮目相看
刮目相看 (guā mù xiāng kàn) literally means “scrape eyes look anew” and expresses “reassess someone who has improved”. 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: gua mu xiang kan, gua mu xiang kan,刮目相看 meaning, 刮目相看 in english
Reassess someone who has improved
Pronunciation: guā mù xiāng kàn
Literal meaning: Scrape eyes look anew
Origin & Usage
This perceptive idiom suggests scraping (刮) one's eyes (目) to view (看) someone differently (相), originating from a Three Kingdoms period interaction between strategists. Historical records recount how Lu Meng significantly improved his knowledge, prompting Sun Quan to remark that one would need to 'scrape one's eyes' to see him anew. The vivid image suggested clearing away previous perceptions like removing a film from the eyes. During the Tang Dynasty, it became a standard reference for recognizing someone's dramatically improved abilities. Unlike terms for simple reassessment, it specifically describes positive reappraisal following significant development. Modern usage encourages recognizing others' growth and improvement rather than maintaining outdated assessments, particularly regarding individuals previously underestimated.
Examples
English: "After her breakthrough performance, critics had to reassess her artistic abilities"
Chinese: 在她的突破性表演之后，评论家们不得不重新评估她的艺术才能
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 刮目相看 mean in English?
刮目相看 (guā mù xiāng kàn) literally translates to “Scrape eyes look anew” and is used to express “Reassess someone who has improved”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 刮目相看 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving reassess someone who has improved.
What is the pinyin for 刮目相看?
The pinyin pronunciation for 刮目相看 is “guā mù xiāng kàn”.