察言观色 chá yán guān sè

read others’ feelings from words and looks

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. to weigh up sb's words and observe their facial expression (idiom)
  2. 2. to discern what sb thinks from his body language

Characters

Character Meaning
察 chá HSK 4
to observe; to examine; to inspect
言 yán HSK 4
to say; to talk; speech
观 guān HSK 4
point of view; concept; to watch
色 sè HSK 2
color; sex; appearance