旁观

旁觀

pángguān

verb HSK 7-9 #13,215

Meanings

1 to look on
2 to watch from the sidelines
3 to be a bystander

Characters

Examples

HSK 6

旁观者清，当局者迷。

Pángguānzhě qīng, dāngjúzhě mí.

The bystander sees clearly; the one involved is confused.

HSK 7-9

他只是站在一旁旁观。

Tā zhǐshì zhàn zài yīpáng pángguān.

He just stood to the side and watched.

Tips

culture

The proverb 旁观者清，当局者迷 (the bystander sees clearly while the person involved is confused) is one of the most well-known Chinese sayings, emphasizing the value of an outside perspective.

Stroke Order

旁 páng

观 guān