察微知著 chá wēi zhī zhù

to deduce the whole story from small traces

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. to deduce the whole story from small traces
  2. 2. to examine tiny clues to know general trends (idiom)

Characters

Character Meaning
察 chá HSK 4
to observe; to examine; to inspect
微 wēi HSK 4
tiny; slightly; micro-
知 zhī HSK 2
to know; to be aware
著 zhù HSK 4
aspect particle indicating action in progress