见微知著
见微知著 (jiàn wēi zhī zhù) literally means “see small know large” and expresses “foresee big from small signs”. 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: jian wei zhi zhu, jian wei zhi zhu,见微知著 meaning, 见微知著 in english
Foresee big from small signs
Pronunciation: jiàn wēi zhī zhù
Literal meaning: See small know large
Origin & Usage
First appearing in the Book of Changes, this idiom describes the ability to see (见) subtle signs (微) to understand (知) significant developments (著). During the Warring States period, strategist Sun Bin emphasized this principle in military observation. The concept gained broader application during the Song Dynasty, when scholars applied it to historical analysis and governance. Modern usage emphasizes the importance of recognizing patterns and trends from early indicators, particularly in business strategy and scientific research.
Examples
English: "The experienced investor recognized the market trend from early indicators"
Chinese: 有经验的投资者从早期指标认识到市场趋势
Discover a new Chinese idiom every day with our iOS app.
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
得心应手
dé xīn yìng shǒu
Work with great ease; have complete mastery
Learn more →
驾轻就熟
jià qīng jiù shú
Be very familiar with; handle with expertise
Learn more →
轻车熟路
qīng chē shú lù
Be experienced; find something easy due to familiarity
Learn more →
游刃有余
yóu rèn yǒu yú
Handle with ease; have skill to spare
Learn more →
成竹在胸
chéng zhú zài xiōng
Have a well-thought-out plan; be confident
Learn more →
恰如其分
qià rú qí fèn
Perfectly appropriate; fitting exactly
Learn more →
恰到好处
qià dào hǎo chù
Just right; perfectly appropriate
Learn more →
适可而止
shì kě ér zhǐ
Stop at the right point; practice moderation
Learn more →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 见微知著 mean in English?
见微知著 (jiàn wēi zhī zhù) literally translates to “See small know large” and is used to express “Foresee big from small signs”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 见微知著 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving foresee big from small signs.
What is the pinyin for 见微知著?
The pinyin pronunciation for 见微知著 is “jiàn wēi zhī zhù”.