当局者迷
当局者迷 (dāng jú zhě mí) literally means “those involved are confused” and expresses “seek outside perspective”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning.
Also searched as: dang ju zhe mi, dang ju zhe mi,当局者迷 meaning, 当局者迷 in english
Seek outside perspective
Pronunciation: dāng jú zhě mí Literal meaning: Those involved are confused
Origin & Usage
The idiom 当局者迷 (dāng jú zhě mí) originates from a story in the Tang Dynasty, documented in the historical text 《旧唐书》 (Old Book of Tang). It involves Yuan Dan (元澹), a learned scholar, who was involved in revising a Confucian classic. When disagreements arose about which version of the text to use, Yuan Dan argued that those directly involved (当局者) were often confused (迷) by their proximity to the issue, while outsiders could see more clearly. The idiom literally means 'those involved are confused' and is often paired with 旁观者清 (páng guān zhě qīng), meaning 'bystanders see clearly.' In modern usage, it highlights the importance of seeking outside perspectives when making decisions, as those deeply involved might overlook obvious solutions.
Examples
English: "Those in charge often fail to see the bigger picture due to their close involvement."
Chinese: 当局者迷，外人却能看得更清楚。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 当局者迷 mean in English?
当局者迷 (dāng jú zhě mí) literally translates to “Those involved are confused” and is used to express “Seek outside perspective”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 当局者迷 used?
Situation: Those in charge often fail to see the bigger picture due to their close involvement.
What is the pinyin for 当局者迷?
The pinyin pronunciation for 当局者迷 is “dāng jú zhě mí”.