先知先觉

Pronunciation: xiān zhī xiān jué Literal meaning: First know first aware

Origin & Usage

Mencius describes heaven's arrangement as one where those who understand first bring those who understand later to understanding — the first to know (先知) and the first to wake (先觉) owing something to everyone else. The obligation is the part that has been lost. In current use the phrase describes foresight and nothing more, and it is often faintly barbed, since claiming to be 先知先觉 about anything is a claim to have been right before the evidence was in. It sits most comfortably in retrospect, applied by others.

Examples

English: "His ability to predict market trends shows he has a keen insight into the economy."

Chinese: 他预测市场趋势的能力表明他对经济有敏锐的洞察力。