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察言观色

察言觀色
cháyán-guānsè
idiom

Meanings

  1. 1 to read someone's words and facial expression
  2. 2 to gauge another's mood
  3. 3 to pick up on social cues

Examples

HSK 5
她善于察言观色，很会处理人际关系。
Tā shànyú cháyán-guānsè, hěn huì chǔlǐ rénjì guānxi.
She's good at reading people and handles relationships well.
HSK 6
在职场里，学会察言观色很重要。
Zài zhíchǎng lǐ, xuéhuì cháyán-guānsè hěn zhòngyào.
Learning to read the room is important in the workplace.

Tips

history
From 论语·颜渊: 察言而观色，虑以下人. Originally described a thoughtful, deferential person - modern usage is more neutral, about social attunement.

Stroke Order

察 chá
言 yán
观 guān
色 sè