见识

• Pinyin: jiàn shi
• Hanzi breakdown: 见 = 目 (eye) + 儿 — to see; 识 = 讠 (speech) + 戠 (phonetic) — to know, recognize

Meaning

Experience and knowledge; insight; to gain exposure to. The breadth of one's worldly experience.

As a noun, refers to the knowledge and insight gained through experience and observation. As a verb, means to experience or witness something, often with the connotation of broadening one's horizons. Having broad 见识 is considered a valuable quality.

Examples

1. 多出去走走能增长见识，开阔眼界。 Getting out more often can broaden your knowledge and expand your horizons.
2. 他年纪轻轻见识却很广，让人刮目相看。 Despite his young age, he has extensive knowledge, which is impressive.
3. 这次参观让我们见识到了最前沿的科技成果。 This visit allowed us to witness cutting-edge technological achievements.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, education, travel

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你的见识真广！(Your knowledge is really extensive!)
• 让我也见识见识。(Let me have a look too.)

Don't Say

• 说别人'没见识'来嘲笑他们 (Avoid using 没见识 to mock people — it's quite insulting, implying they're ignorant or unsophisticated)

Origin & History

Composed of 见 (to see; experience) + 识 (to know; recognize). Together they represent the knowledge gained through seeing and experiencing the world.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal