Chinese word

实事求是

Pronunciation

Pinyinshí shì qiú shì

Meaning

  • idiombase decisions on facts

Example

碰到问题要实事求是，先看证据。pèng dào wèn tí yào shí shì qiú shì xiān kàn zhèng jù

When a problem comes up, base your judgment on facts and look at the evidence first.

Illustration for 实事求是 (base decisions on facts)

More examples

在科研评价中，应该实事求是，用数据说明问题。zài kē yán píng jià zhōng yīng gāi shí shì qiú shì yòng shù jù shuō míng wèn tí

In scientific research evaluation, we should base decisions on facts and use data to explain the issue.

Core concept

A steady habit of facing a situation as it is and choosing a response from the evidence.

Common phrases

  • 坚持实事求是jiān chí shí shì qiú shì

    stick to basing decisions on facts

  • 实事求是的态度shí shì qiú shì de tài dù

    a fact-based attitude

  • 以实事求是为准yǐ shí shì qiú shì wèi zhǔn

    use facts as the standard

Similar words

有凭有据yǒu píng yǒu jù: Having facts and evidence to support what is said or claimed.
有理有据yóu lí yǒu jù: Having both logical reasons and evidence, so an argument is convincing.

Definition in Chinese

根据客观事实和实际情况来判断或处理问题，不凭主观臆断。gēn jù kè guān shì shí hé shí jì qíng kuàng lái pàn duàn huò chú lǐ wèn tí bù píng zhǔ guān yì duàn

Word origin

The first pair, 实 (shí, "real") + 事 (shì, "facts"), means real-world matters, and the second pair, 求 (qiú, "seek") + 是 (shì, "truth"), means seeking what is correct.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may hear "be realistic" as a call to lower expectations, but this idiom emphasizes an evidence-based approach and can apply when the facts are either good or bad.

Other meanings

  • deal with realityidiom

Opposites

  • 脱离实际tuō lí shí jìbe divorced from realityidiom
  • 纸上谈兵zhǐ shàng tán bīngengage in armchair theorizingidiom

Word lists with this word