明察秋毫
明察秋毫 (míng chá qiū háo) literally means “see autumn down clear”and expresses “perceive tiny details”.This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom & learning.
Also searched as: ming cha qiu hao, ming cha qiu hao,明察秋毫 meaning, 明察秋毫 in english
Pronunciation: míng chá qiū háo Literal meaning: See autumn down clear
Origin & Usage
Drawing from ancient Chinese optics and medicine, this phrase describes the ability to clearly (明) observe (察) autumn (秋) down - the finest hair on an animal's body (毫). During the Han Dynasty, it became associated with legendary judge Bao Zheng, known for perceiving subtle details others missed. The autumn reference is significant - traditional Chinese medicine believed vision was clearest in fall. In contemporary use, it describes both literal visual acuity and metaphorical perceptiveness in analyzing complex situations.
When to Use
Situation: The detective noticed subtle inconsistencies others missed
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
得心应手
dé xīn yìng shǒu
Work with great ease; have complete mastery
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驾轻就熟
jià qīng jiù shú
Be very familiar with; handle with expertise
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轻车熟路
qīng chē shú lù
Be experienced; find something easy due to familiarity
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游刃有余
yóu rèn yǒu yú
Handle with ease; have skill to spare
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成竹在胸
chéng zhú zài xiōng
Have a well-thought-out plan; be confident
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适可而止
shì kě ér zhǐ
Stop at the right point; practice moderation
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见好就收
jiàn hǎo jiù shōu
Quit while ahead; take profits
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急流勇退
jí liú yǒng tuì
Retire at the peak; know when to quit
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 明察秋毫 mean in English?
明察秋毫 (míng chá qiū háo) literally translates to “See autumn down clear”and is used to express “Perceive tiny details”. This Chinese idiom belongs to theWisdom & Learning category..
When is 明察秋毫 used?
Situation: The detective noticed subtle inconsistencies others missed
What is the pinyin for 明察秋毫?
The pinyin pronunciation for 明察秋毫 is “míng chá qiū háo”.
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