百聞は一見に如かず
ひゃくぶんはいっけんにしかず
expression (proverb)
seeing is believing; one look is worth a hundred reports
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.
百聞は一見に如かずというから、実際に見に行こう。
Since seeing is believing, let's go see it for ourselves.
写真で見るより実物を見た方がいい。百聞は一見に如かずだ。
It's better to see the real thing than photos. Seeing is believing.
現地に行って初めて分かった。百聞は一見に如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.'
PROVERB MEANING:
No matter how many times you hear about something (百聞 = 100 hearings), it cannot compare to seeing it once (一見 = one look). Direct experience is more valuable than secondhand information.
ORIGIN:
From the Chinese classic "Han Shu" (漢書), the Book of Han. The general Zhao Chongguo said this when asked to draw up battle plans against an enemy he had never seen.
ENGLISH EQUIVALENTS:
- Seeing is believing
- A picture is worth a thousand words
- One eyewitness is better than ten hearsay witnesses
USAGE:
Often used to encourage someone to experience something firsthand rather than relying on descriptions or reports.