See also: 察言观色

Chinese

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examine; inquire; observe
examine; inquire; observe; inspect; look into; to examine
 
to speak; to say; talk
to speak; to say; talk; word
 
to look at; to watch; to observe
to look at; to watch; to observe; to behold; Taoist monastery
 
colour; dice; look
colour; dice; look; appearance
 
trad. (察言觀色)
simp. (察言观色)

Etymology

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From the Analects, Book 12 (《論語·顏淵》):

察言觀色 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
察言观色 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Fú dá yě zhě, zhì zhí ér hào yì, chá yán ér guān sè, lǜ yǐ xià rén. [Pinyin]
The man of distinction is solid and straightforward, and loves righteousness. He examines people's words, and looks at their countenances. He is anxious to humble himself to others.

Pronunciation

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Idiom

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察言觀色

  1. to read a person (to interpret or infer a meaning or significance based on facial expression, tone of voice etc)

See also

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