AdvancedChinese Idiom (成语)

见多识广

jiàn duō shí guǎng

“To see much and know widely”

Meaning: Well-traveled and knowledgeable; experienced and well-informed; to have broad knowledge from extensive experience

Character-by-Character Breakdown

to know / to recognize

The Story Behind 见多识广

Source:《醒世恒言》

Period:Ming Dynasty (1368–1644)

Knowledge Through Experience

The idiom 见多识广 comes from classical Chinese literature, describing people who have gained knowledge through extensive experience.

It emphasizes that true knowledge comes from seeing and experiencing many things, not just from reading.

The phrase teaches that travel and experience broaden one's understanding and perspective.

It reflects the value placed on practical knowledge gained through real-world experience.

Original Classical Chinese

见多识广，博闻强记。

How to Use 见多识广

This idiom is used to praise people who are well-traveled and knowledgeable.

It emphasizes that knowledge comes from extensive experience and exposure to different things.

The idiom is often used to describe people who have broad knowledge from seeing and experiencing much.

When to use:

Use when praising someone who is well-traveled and knowledgeable
Often used to describe people with extensive experience
Can be used to emphasize the value of experience and travel

Common Mistake

Don't confuse this with simply being smart or educated. It specifically refers to having broad knowledge gained through extensive experience and travel, not just book knowledge.

Example Sentences

他见多识广，去过很多国家，知识很丰富。

Tā jiàn duō shí guǎng, qù guò hěnduō guójiā, zhīshì hěn fēngfù.

He is well-traveled and knowledgeable. He has been to many countries and has rich knowledge.

这位老师见多识广，能回答各种问题。

Zhè wèi lǎoshī jiàn duō shí guǎng, néng huídá gè zhǒng wèntí.

This teacher is well-traveled and knowledgeable, able to answer all kinds of questions.

要多出去走走，见多识广才能有更好的判断力。

Yào duō chūqù zǒuzǒu, jiàn duō shí guǎng cáinéng yǒu gèng hǎo de pànduàn lì.

You need to travel more. Being well-traveled and knowledgeable helps you have better judgment.

Practice Writing

Generate a free printable worksheet with all 4 characters from this idiom.

Generate Worksheet (4 Characters)

Or explore each character:

见stroke order 多stroke order 识stroke order 广stroke order

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 见多识广 (jiàn duō shí guǎng) mean?

见多识广 literally means "to see much and know widely." Figuratively, it means well-traveled and knowledgeable, experienced and well-informed, or to have broad knowledge from extensive experience. It emphasizes knowledge gained through travel and experience.

What is the difference between 见多识广 and 博学多才?

Both idioms describe knowledgeable people, but 见多识广 emphasizes knowledge gained through extensive experience and travel (seeing much), while 博学多才 emphasizes being learned and talented (book knowledge and natural ability). 见多识广 is about experience, 博学多才 is about learning and talent.

How do you use 见多识广 in a sentence?

Use 见多识广 when praising someone who is well-traveled and knowledgeable. For example: "他见多识广，去过很多国家" (He is well-traveled and knowledgeable, having been to many countries).

Is 见多识广 always positive?

Yes, 见多识广 is always positive. It's used to praise people who have broad knowledge gained through extensive experience and travel. It emphasizes the value of real-world experience.

Is 见多识广 difficult to learn?

见多识广 is considered intermediate level. It uses relatively common characters (见 HSK1, 多 HSK1, 识 HSK4, 广 HSK3). The concept is clear and the idiom is commonly used in modern Chinese.