諺語 · a single proverb
眼見為實，耳聽為虛
Simplified: 眼见为实，耳听为虚
What does 眼見為實，耳聽為虛 (yǎn jiàn wéi shí, ěr tīng wéi xū) mean?
眼見為實，耳聽為虛 (yǎn jiàn wéi shí, ěr tīng wéi xū) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語). Word for word it reads "what the eye sees is real, what the ear hears may be empty." In use it means: Direct observation is reliable; hearsay and rumor should be treated with skepticism. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Metal note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Rooster.
Literally: "what the eye sees is real, what the ear hears may be empty."
The reading
The rumor traveled fast. The truth traveled slow. By the time you saw for yourself, the story had already circled the village twice. Trust your eyes over your ears. Not because people lie, but because words are portable and context is not. What you see carries its own proof.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Traditional folk proverb, common in classical and vernacular Chinese
Sits beside
Keep reading
Return to the Proverb Pond to draw another of the eighty-seven, or hear one read aloud. Read the rest of its chapter in Wisdom & Learning, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Rooster, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.
Questions
Is 眼見為實，耳聽為虛 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 眼見為實，耳聽為虛 (yǎn jiàn wéi shí, ěr tīng wéi xū) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語), and it comes from Traditional folk proverb, common in classical and vernacular Chinese. It is living Chinese heritage, given here with per-character pinyin and its source so you can trust the line, not a phrase invented in English.
How do you pronounce 眼見為實，耳聽為虛?
In Mandarin it is yǎn jiàn wéi shí, ěr tīng wéi xū. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 眼見為實，耳聽為虛 aloud in Mandarin.