Meaning and Usage
"刮目相看" literally means "to scrape the eyes and look at each other," which figuratively means to look at someone with new respect or to reevaluate someone due to their progress or improvement. It is often used when someone has made significant achievements or improvements that change others' opinions about them.
Common Contexts
This phrase is commonly used in educational, professional, or social contexts where a person's abilities or qualities have improved noticeably. It implies a positive change in perception.
Collocations and Patterns
- 刮目相看 + 人 (to look at a person with new respect)
- 让人刮目相看 (to make others look at someone differently)
- 被刮目相看 (to be looked at with new respect)
Nuances
Using 刮目相看 emphasizes a shift from underestimation or indifference to admiration. It is polite and formal, suitable for both spoken and written Chinese. Avoid using it in contexts where the change is negative or neutral.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse 刮目相看 with simple verbs like 看 or 看到, which mean "to see" without the nuance of changed perception. 刮目相看 specifically conveys a reevaluation or newfound respect.
Meaning and Usage
"刮目相看" literally means "to scrape the eyes and look at each other," which figuratively means to look at someone with new respect or to reevaluate someone due to their progress or improvement. It is often used when someone has made significant achievements or improvements that change others' opinions about them.
Common Contexts
This phrase is commonly used in educational, professional, or social contexts where a person's abilities or qualities have improved noticeably. It implies a positive change in perception.
Collocations and Patterns
- 刮目相看 + 人 (to look at a person with new respect)
- 让人刮目相看 (to make others look at someone differently)
- 被刮目相看 (to be looked at with new respect)
Nuances
Using 刮目相看 emphasizes a shift from underestimation or indifference to admiration. It is polite and formal, suitable for both spoken and written Chinese. Avoid using it in contexts where the change is negative or neutral.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse 刮目相看 with simple verbs like 看 or 看到, which mean "to see" without the nuance of changed perception. 刮目相看 specifically conveys a reevaluation or newfound respect.
Meaning and Usage
"刮目相看" literally means "to scrape the eyes and look at each other," which figuratively means to look at someone with new respect or to reevaluate someone due to their progress or improvement. It is often used when someone has made significant achievements or improvements that change others' opinions about them.
Common Contexts
This phrase is commonly used in educational, professional, or social contexts where a person's abilities or qualities have improved noticeably. It implies a positive change in perception.
Collocations and Patterns
- 刮目相看 + 人 (to look at a person with new respect)
- 让人刮目相看 (to make others look at someone differently)
- 被刮目相看 (to be looked at with new respect)
Nuances
Using 刮目相看 emphasizes a shift from underestimation or indifference to admiration. It is polite and formal, suitable for both spoken and written Chinese. Avoid using it in contexts where the change is negative or neutral.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse 刮目相看 with simple verbs like 看 or 看到, which mean "to see" without the nuance of changed perception. 刮目相看 specifically conveys a reevaluation or newfound respect.