察言观色
chá yán guān sè
to weigh people’s words and watch their faces; to read someone’s mood
Character by character
察chá
examine
examine
言yán
words
words
观guān
watch
watch
色sè
face
face
Example
做服务工作的人要会察言观色，客人不开口，也能看出他需要什么。
People in service jobs learn to read their customers: even before a guest speaks, they can tell what he needs.
Tone: neutral.
Usage and origin
From the 《论语·颜渊》 line 察言而观色. Approving when it means tact and sensitivity (善于察言观色); it can also suggest the anxious watchfulness of someone in a weaker position, or a courtier reading his master’s face.
Learn this in Lesson 134 · HSK 7–9: 家政阿姨与月嫂 (Housekeepers and maternity nurses)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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