The Chinese proverb “睁着眼睛说瞎话” (Zheng Zhe Yanjing Shuo Xia Hua) might seem like a curious combination of characters, but its essence lies in exposing dishonesty and falsehood. Translated character by character, it means “open-ed-eyes-tell-ies,” but its functional translation is more straightforward: “to flout reality,” “to tell bald-faced lies,” or “to lie through one’s teeth.” In this article, we will delve into the meaning of this proverb, provide real-life examples, and discuss its usage.

Deciphering the Meaning:

Breaking down the proverb “睁着眼睛说瞎话” (Zheng Zhe Yanjing Shuo Xia Hua):

• “睁着” means “open(ed) eyes.”
• “眼睛” means “eyes.”
• “说” means “to speak” or “to say.”
• “瞎话” means “nonsense” or “lies.”

Together, this proverb conveys the idea that someone is deliberately saying things they know to be untrue. In simpler terms, it calls out dishonesty and falsehood.

Examples of Usage:

Let’s explore a couple of examples to better understand how “睁着眼睛说瞎话” (Zheng Zhe Yanjing Shuo Xia Hua) is used in everyday conversation:

Example 1: A: 他太不诚实了，常常睁着眼睛说瞎话，连他父母都骗。 A: Ta tài bù chéngshi le, chángchang zhêngzhe yänjing shuo xia huà, lián ta fumú dou piàn. A: He’s so dishonest. He often tells bald-faced lies, even to his parents.

In this scenario, person A is discussing someone’s lack of honesty. They accuse the individual of frequently telling lies, even deceiving their own parents.

Example 2: A: 那家电视台睁着眼睛说瞎话，赤裸裸地攻击别的国家，而对自己国家的问题却视而不见。 A: Na jia diânshitai zhengzhe yänjing shuo xia huà, chiluòluò de gongji biéde guójia, ér dui ziji guójia de wènti què shì’érbújiân.

A: That TV station is flouting reality. It plainly slanders other countries but turns a blind eye towards its own country’s problems.

In this conversation, person A criticizes a television station for spreading falsehoods and attacking other countries while conveniently ignoring their own nation’s issues.

Usage Notes:

“睁着眼睛说瞎话” (Zheng Zhe Yanjing Shuo Xia Hua) functions as a predicate in a sentence, usually to describe someone’s behavior. It is essential to note that this proverb carries a slightly derogatory meaning, as it accuses someone of being dishonest and deceitful.

In conclusion, “睁着眼睛说瞎话” (Zheng Zhe Yanjing Shuo Xia Hua) serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of honesty and truthfulness in communication. It underscores the negative connotations associated with knowingly spreading falsehoods and highlights the need for integrity and transparency in our interactions with others.