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.
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.
Examples
English: "The investigation was based on rumors with no substantial evidence"
Chinese: 调查是基于没有实质证据的谣言
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
融会贯通
róng huì guàn tōng
Master something completely
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学海无涯
xué hǎi wú yá
Learning is limitless
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知行合一
zhī xíng hé yī
Practice what you know
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举一反三
jǔ yī fǎn sān
Learn many from one example
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温故知新
wēn gù zhī xīn
Learn new through studying old
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画龙点睛
huà lóng diǎn jīng
Add crucial finishing touch
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读万卷书
dú wàn juǎn shū
Read extensively for knowledge
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抛砖引玉
pāo zhuān yǐn yù
Offer modest view to inspire better
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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: The investigation was based on rumors with no substantial evidence
What is the pinyin for 捕风捉影?
The pinyin pronunciation for 捕风捉影 is “bǔ fēng zhuō yǐng”.