百聞(ひゃくぶん)は一見(いっけん)に如(し)かず

ひゃくぶんはいっけんにしかず
expression
seeing is believing; one look is worth a hundred reports
proverb
1. seeing is believing; a picture is worth a thousand words
A proverb meaning that actually seeing something once is more valuable than hearing about it many times. Emphasizes the importance of firsthand experience.
百聞(ひゃくぶん)は一見(いっけん)に如(し)かずというから、実際(じっさい)に見(み)に行(い)こう。
Since seeing is believing, let's go see it for ourselves.
写真(しゃしん)で見(み)るより実物(じつぶつ)を見(み)た方(ほう)がいい。百聞(ひゃくぶん)は一見(いっけん)に如(し)かずだ。
It's better to see the real thing than photos. Seeing is believing.
現地(げんち)に行(い)って初(はじ)めて分(わ)かった。百聞(ひゃくぶん)は一見(いっけん)に如(し)かずとはこのことだ。
I only understood after visiting the place. Now I know what they mean by 'seeing is believing.'

Etymology

No matter how many times you hear about something (百聞(ひゃくぶん) = 100 hearings), it cannot compare to seeing it once (一見(いっけん) = one look). Direct experience is more valuable than secondhand information.
From the Chinese classic "Han Shu" (漢書(かんじょ)), the Book of Han. The general Zhao Chongguo said this when asked to draw up battle plans against an enemy he had never seen.

Usage

Close English equivalents

  • Seeing is believing
  • A picture is worth a thousand words
  • One eyewitness is better than ten hearsay witnesses

Often used to encourage someone to experience something firsthand rather than relying on descriptions or reports.

Related Words

Compare: 案(あん)ずるより産(う)むが易(やす)し (doing is easier than worrying about it)
general
Added 2026.1.17 20:05 · Revised 2026.10.13 4:29
06000/06336_hyakubunhaikkennishikazu