独具慧眼 (dú jù huì yǎn) — to have exceptional insight; to be uniquely discerning

Definition

A set phrase praising someone whose judgment or taste is sharper than others' — they can spot what is truly valuable, talented, or correct. Used in writing and formal speech, more emphatic than simply saying someone 有眼光.

verb
to have exceptional insightto be uniquely discerning

Examples

  • 独具慧眼，。
    Zhè wèi shōu cáng jiā dú jù huì yǎn, fā xiàn le zhè fú huà de zhēn zhèng jià zhí.
    This collector had exceptional insight and discovered the true value of this painting.
  • 独具慧眼，。
    Tā dú jù huì yǎn, yì yǎn jiù kàn chū le wèn tí de guān jiàn.
    He had unique discernment and saw the crux of the problem at a glance.
  • 独具慧眼，。
    Lǎo bǎn dú jù huì yǎn, tí bá le yí gè nián qīng yǒu wéi de yuán gōng.
    The boss, with his exceptional insight, promoted a young and promising employee.

Origin

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 獨; 独 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
犭Written in full as犬quǎn
Sound part声符shēngfú
蜀
蜀shǔ獨dú
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 獨 pairs 犬 (dog) with 蜀, which gives the sound; the simplified 独 is a shorthand.

Open 独 →

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

具 pairs 廾 (two hands) with 鼎 (a cauldron), showing hands working with a cauldron to prepare food.

Open 具 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
心心xīnheart
Sound part声符shēngfú
彗
彗huì慧huì
Same sound today

慧 combines 彗, which gives the sound, with 心 (heart), which gives the meaning.

Open 慧 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
目目mùeye
Sound part声符shēngfú
艮
艮gèn眼yǎn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

眼 combines 目, which is an eye, with 艮, which gives the character's sound.

Open 眼 →

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