耳聪目明
耳聪目明 (ěr cōng mù míng) literally means “keen ears, sharp eyes” and expresses “perceptive and insightful”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning.
Also searched as: er cong mu ming, er cong mu ming,耳聪目明 meaning, 耳聪目明 in english
Perceptive and insightful
Pronunciation: ěr cōng mù míng Literal meaning: Keen ears, sharp eyes
Origin & Usage
Ears keen (耳聪) and eyes clear (目明). The pairing is ancient and appears across the classics, generally describing a ruler or official who can actually be reached by information — the senses standing in for a mind that is not insulated. Physical acuity is the surface reading and is still available, particularly of a healthy older person. The figurative sense is the useful one: someone who notices, who is not the last to hear, and whose judgement has current facts in it rather than remembered ones.
Examples
English: "Her sharp hearing and keen sight make her an excellent detective."
Chinese: 她耳聪目明，是一位出色的侦探。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
自作聪明
zì zuò cōng míng
Too clever for one's own good
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耳濡目染
ěr rú mù rǎn
Learning unconsciously through constant exposure
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耳目一新
ěr mù yī xīn
A refreshing new experience
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掩耳盗铃
yǎn ěr dào líng
Self-deception through ignoring reality
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隔墙有耳
gé qiáng yǒu ěr
Be discreet
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明枪易躲
míng qiāng yì duǒ
Open threats easier than hidden
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明察秋毫
míng chá qiū háo
Perceive tiny details
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明镜止水
míng jìng zhǐ shuǐ
Clear and calm mind
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 耳聪目明 mean in English?
耳聪目明 (ěr cōng mù míng) literally translates to “Keen ears, sharp eyes” and is used to express “Perceptive and insightful”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 耳聪目明 used?
Situation: Her sharp hearing and keen sight make her an excellent detective.
What is the pinyin for 耳聪目明?
The pinyin pronunciation for 耳聪目明 is “ěr cōng mù míng”.