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刮目相看

guā mù xiāng kàn

Literal Meaning

Rub eyes and look at each other

Meaning

To look at someone with new eyes; to hold someone in high esteem after they have shown improvement or success.

Origin Story

From the Three Kingdoms period. General Lu Meng was brave but uneducated. Sun Quan advised him to study. Later, Lu Su visited him and was amazed by his knowledge, saying he was no longer the simple warrior from Wuxia. Lu Meng replied, "Scholars part for three days and should see each other with new eyes."

When to Use This Idiom

Use 刮目相看 when:

  • Someone has improved significantly
  • You change your opinion of someone for the better
  • Praising someone's progress

Example Sentences

他的进步之快,让人刮目相看。

Tā de jìnbù zhī kuài, ràng rén guāmùxiāngkàn.

His progress is so fast that people look at him with new eyes.

经过一年的努力,他取得的成就令所有人都刮目相看。

Jīngguò yì nián de nǔlì, tā qǔdé de chéngjiù lìng suǒyǒu rén dōu guāmùxiāngkàn.

After a year of hard work, his achievements made everyone look at him with new respect.

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