刮目相看

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: guā mù xiāng kàn
• English Translation: To see someone in a whole new light
• Idiom Composition: 「刮」（To rub or scrape）＋「目」（Eye）＋「相」（Each other / the other party）＋「看」（To look or see）
• Meaning: Literally meaning to "rub one's eyes and look again," this idiom describes being amazed by someone's significant progress or growth, leading to a completely new and improved evaluation of them.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「刮目相看」 contains the following nuances:

• Surprise at Progress: The idiom implies more than just a change of opinion; it carries a strong nuance of surprise and admiration for growth that exceeded expectations.
• Discarding Old Biases: The action of 'rubbing one's eyes' (刮目) symbolizes clearing away old, outdated views or prejudices to see the person's current reality clearly.

3. Usage

「刮目相看」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Improvement in Ability: Used when someone who was previously unremarkable suddenly shows great skill in studies, sports, or professional work.
  • Example:「经过一个暑假的苦练，他的球技突飞猛进，令队友们刮目相看。」
    （After a summer of intensive training, his ball skills improved by leaps and bounds, making his teammates see him in a whole new light.）
• Unexpected Character: Used when someone reveals a hidden talent or performs a brave deed that contradicts their usual reputation.
  • Example:「平时沉默寡言的他，在危急时刻挺身而出，让大家对他刮目相看。」
    （Usually quiet and reserved, he stepped forward bravely in a moment of crisis, causing everyone to look at him with newfound respect.）

Additional Examples:

1. 没想到他在这么短的时间内完成了这个项目，真让人刮目相看。
   （I didn't expect him to complete this project in such a short time; it really makes one view him with new eyes.）
2. 只要你努力做出成绩，别人自然会对你刮目相看。
   （As long as you work hard and achieve results, others will naturally see you in a different light.）
3. 这家公司推出的新产品性能优越，让业界同行刮目相看。
   （The new product launched by this company has such superior performance that it has made industry peers sit up and take notice.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Origin: This idiom comes from the Records of the Three Kingdoms (三国志). Lü Meng (吕蒙), a general of the state of Wu (吴), was a brave warrior but lacked education. After being encouraged by his lord Sun Quan (孙权) to study, he became so knowledgeable that he astonished the scholar Lu Su (鲁肃). Lü Meng famously told him: 'When a scholar has been away for three days, you should rub your eyes and look at him again (士别三日，即更刮目相待).'
• Modern Usage: It is frequently used in professional and academic settings to encourage others, implying that through hard work, anyone can change how the world perceives them.
• The phrase 士别三日 (shì bié sān rì), meaning 'being away for three days,' is often used as a prefix to this idiom to emphasize how quickly someone has improved.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 另眼相看 (lìng yǎn xiāng kàn): To look at someone with a 'different eye'; to treat someone with special attention or regard (can be positive or negative).
  • 肃然起敬 (sù rán qǐ jìng): To be filled with a sudden sense of deep respect or awe.
  • 耳目一新 (ěr mù yī xīn): To find everything fresh and new.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 视而不见 (shì ér bú jiàn): To look but not see; to turn a blind eye or ignore something completely.
  • 嗤之以鼻 (chī zhī yǐ bí): To snort with contempt; to look down upon or dismiss something with a sneer.
  • 一成不变 (yī chéng bù biàn): To remain unchanged; to be set in one's ways.link

6. Summary

刮目相看 (guā mù xiāng kàn) is used when someone has improved so much that you must discard your old impressions and view them with newfound respect. It is a common way to praise someone's rapid development in skills, knowledge, or character.