捕风捉影
捕风捉影 (bǔ fēng zhuō yǐng) literally means “catch wind grasp shadow” and expresses “make accusations without solid evidence”. 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: bu feng zhuo ying, bu feng zhuo ying,捕风捉影 meaning, 捕风捉影 in english
Make accusations without solid evidence
Pronunciation: bǔ fēng zhuō yǐng Literal meaning: Catch wind grasp shadow
Origin & Usage
Tang Dynasty Buddhist texts warn of the futility of trying to catch wind (捕风) and grasp shadows (捉影). Song Dynasty philosophers transformed this spiritual metaphor into a powerful critique of baseless accusations and insubstantial evidence. Ming Dynasty legal scholars particularly favored it when condemning prosecutions built on shadows rather than substance. The physical impossibility of the task - attempting to capture things that exist but resist physical grasp - perfectly describes pursuits based on evidence too ethereal to substantiate.
When to Use
Situation: The investigation was based on rumors with no substantial evidence
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 捕风捉影 mean in English?
捕风捉影 (bǔ fēng zhuō yǐng) literally translates to “Catch wind grasp shadow” and is used to express “Make accusations without solid evidence”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 捕风捉影 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving make accusations without solid evidence.
What is the pinyin for 捕风捉影?
The pinyin pronunciation for 捕风捉影 is “bǔ fēng zhuō yǐng”.