TongTong
Sign in

实事求是 (shí shì qiú shì) — to seek truth from facts; to be practical and realistic

Definition

A formal chengyu meaning 'to seek truth from facts' — an approach grounded in real evidence rather than theory or wishful thinking. Common in writing about research, policy, and work style.

phrase
to seek truth from factsto be practical and realistic

Examples

  • 实事求是，。
    Zuò xué wèn bì xū shí shì qiú shì, bù néng píng kōng xiǎng xiàng.
    Doing research must seek truth from facts; you can't imagine things out of thin air.
  • ，实事求是，。
    Zài zhì dìng jì huà shí, wǒ men yào shí shì qiú shì, chōng fèn kǎo lǜ shí jì qíng kuàng.
    When making plans, we must be practical and realistic, fully considering the actual circumstances.
  • ，实事求是，。
    Zuò wéi gàn bù, tā gōng zuò yì zhí shí shì qiú shì, shòu dào dà jiā zūn jìng.
    As a cadre, he has always worked with a practical and realistic attitude, earning everyone's respect.

Origin

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 實; 实 is its simplified writing.

  • 宀宀miánroof
  • 周周zhōucarved jade
  • 貝貝bèishellfish; cowrie

The traditional form 實 has 宀 'roof' above 周 'carved jade' and 貝 'cowrie'; the simplified 实 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the historical pieces.

Open 实 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

In 事, 又 is a hand and 中 is a flagpole with a drum; holding a flag in hand depicts performing a job.

Open 事 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

求 began as a drawing of a centipede.

Open 求 →

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Open 是 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 6Attitudes & OpinionsIdioms & Set Phrases

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.