一针见血
一针见血 (yī zhēn jiàn xiě) literally means “one needle sees blood” and expresses “hit the nail on the head; incisive”. 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: yi zhen jian xie, yi zhen jian xie,一针见血 meaning, 一针见血 in english
Hit the nail on the head; incisive
Pronunciation: yī zhēn jiàn xiě
Literal meaning: One needle sees blood
Origin & Usage
This idiom originally described skilled acupuncturists who could draw blood (见血) with a single (一) needle (针) insertion, demonstrating perfect technique. The phrase evolved to praise any precise, direct action that achieves its goal immediately. In communication, it describes words that cut directly to the essential point without circumlocution. Modern usage commonly praises sharp analysis, direct criticism, or any statement that immediately addresses the core issue without wasting words.
Examples
English: "Her criticism cut right to the heart of the problem."
Chinese: 她的批评一针见血，直指问题核心。
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Work with great ease; have complete mastery
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Be very familiar with; handle with expertise
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Handle with ease; have skill to spare
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qià rú qí fèn
Perfectly appropriate; fitting exactly
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恰到好处
qià dào hǎo chù
Just right; perfectly appropriate
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shì kě ér zhǐ
Stop at the right point; practice moderation
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 一针见血 mean in English?
一针见血 (yī zhēn jiàn xiě) literally translates to “One needle sees blood” and is used to express “Hit the nail on the head; incisive”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 一针见血 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving hit the nail on the head; incisive.
What is the pinyin for 一针见血?
The pinyin pronunciation for 一针见血 is “yī zhēn jiàn xiě”.