不看僧面看佛面 bù kàn sēng miàn kàn fó miàn

fig. (to do sth for sb) out of deference to sb else

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. fig. (to do sth for sb) out of deference to sb else
  2. 2. lit. not for the monk's sake but for the Buddha's sake (idiom)

Characters

Character Meaning
not; no; (negative prefix)
to see; to look at; to watch
monk; Sangha, the Buddhist monastic order
face; surface; aspect
to see; to look at; to watch
seemingly; (female) head ornament; variant of 彿
face; surface; aspect