shíshìqiúshì: 实事求是 - To seek truth from facts; to be pragmatic and realistic

• Keywords: shishiqishi, shíshìqiúshì, 实事求是, seek truth from facts, Chinese pragmatism, be realistic, evidence-based, Chinese philosophy, Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping, Chinese proverbs, Chengyu
• Summary: Discover the meaning of 实事求是 (shíshìqiúshì), a cornerstone of modern Chinese thought translating to “seeking truth from facts.” This page explores this vital chengyu (idiom) from its philosophical origins to its pivotal role in China's political and economic reforms under leaders like Deng Xiaoping. Learn how this principle of pragmatism, realism, and objectivity is applied in business, academia, and everyday conversations, making it an essential term for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Chinese culture.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): shí shì qiú shì
• Part of Speech: Chengyu (四字成语), often functions as a verb, adjective, or guiding principle.
• HSK Level: HSK 6+ (Advanced)
• Concise Definition: To seek truth from facts; to be practical, objective, and realistic.
• In a Nutshell: Imagine a detective ignoring theories and focusing only on the evidence at the crime scene. That's the spirit of `实事求是`. It's a mindset that prioritizes reality over dogma, facts over feelings, and practical results over abstract ideals. It's about looking at what *is*, not what you wish or believe *should be*, and then acting on that solid foundation of truth.

• 实 (shí): Real, actual, solid, concrete.
• 事 (shì): Thing, matter, affair, fact.
• 求 (qiú): To seek, to pursue, to request.
• 是 (shì): Here, it doesn't mean “to be,” but rather “truth” or “the correct way.”

These characters combine to paint a very clear picture: From actual (实) facts (事), one seeks (求) the truth (是). The meaning is baked directly into its component parts, emphasizing an empirical, evidence-based approach to understanding the world.

While the phrase first appeared in the ancient *Book of Han* (汉书) to describe a rigorous and honest academic attitude, its modern significance is monumental and tied directly to the trajectory of modern China. Mao Zedong popularized the term, elevating it to a core principle of his philosophy. However, it was Deng Xiaoping who made `实事求是` the ideological engine of China's “Reform and Opening Up” (改革开放). After decades of rigid, dogmatic ideology that led to disasters like the Great Leap Forward, Deng used `实事求是` to signal a major shift. He argued that China should abandon rigid adherence to communist doctrine and instead adopt policies that *actually worked*, based on real-world results. This was a revolutionary call to “seek truth from facts,” not from a textbook. A useful Western comparison is the concept of “empiricism” or “pragmatism.” However, `实事求是` is more than just a philosophical stance; it's a national guiding principle that carries the historical weight of China's transformation. While an American CEO might be praised for being “pragmatic,” `实事求是` in China evokes a deeper sense of intellectual honesty, courage to face reality, and the core ideology that lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty. It embodies the value of flexibility and results over rigid adherence to a pre-defined plan.

`实事求是` is a highly respected trait and is used in various formal and informal contexts.

• In Politics and Academia: This is its most formal usage. Government reports, official speeches, and academic papers will use `实事求是` to signal objectivity, thoroughness, and a commitment to evidence-based conclusions. It's a way of saying, “We have done our homework and this is the unvarnished truth.”
• In Business and the Workplace: A manager might praise an employee who gives an un-sugarcoated report on a failing project by saying, “你的分析很实事求是” (Your analysis is very realistic and fact-based). It's a compliment for someone who is data-driven, objective, and doesn't let office politics or wishful thinking cloud their judgment.
• In Personal Life: You can use it to advise a friend. If your friend is in denial about a bad relationship, you might gently say, “你需要实事求是地看待你们之间的问题” (You need to look at the problems between you realistically). It's a call to face a difficult reality.

The connotation is almost universally positive, implying integrity, wisdom, and courage.

• Example 1:
  • 我们做任何工作，都应该有实事求是的态度。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen zuò rènhé gōngzuò, dōu yīnggāi yǒu shíshìqiúshì de tàidù.
  • English: In any work we do, we should have a fact-based and realistic attitude.
  • Analysis: A very common and standard usage, applicable to work, study, or any project. It emphasizes the *process* and *mindset*.
• Example 2:
  • 这份报告实事求是地指出了我们公司目前面临的挑战。
  • Pinyin: Zhè fèn bàogào shíshìqiúshì de zhǐchūle wǒmen gōngsī mùqián miànlín de tiǎozhàn.
  • English: This report realistically points out the challenges our company is currently facing.
  • Analysis: Here, `实事求是` acts as an adverb, modifying “points out” (指出). It implies the report is honest and doesn't gloss over the bad news.
• Example 3:
  • 邓小平的伟大之处在于他坚持实事求是的原则，领导了中国的改革开放。
  • Pinyin: Dèng Xiǎopíng de wěidà zhī chù zàiyú tā jiānchí shíshìqiúshì de yuánzé, lǐngdǎole Zhōngguó de gǎigé kāifàng.
  • English: Deng Xiaoping's greatness lies in his adherence to the principle of seeking truth from facts, which led China's Reform and Opening Up.
  • Analysis: This is a classic historical and political context for the term, linking it directly to its most famous proponent.
• Example 4:
  • 作为一名科学家，你必须实事求是，尊重实验数据。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi yī míng kēxuéjiā, nǐ bìxū shíshìqiúshì, zūnzhòng shíyàn shùjù.
  • English: As a scientist, you must seek truth from facts and respect the experimental data.
  • Analysis: This highlights the term's connection to scientific inquiry and objectivity.
• Example 5:
  • 我欣赏他实事求是的作风，从不说空话。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xīnshǎng tā shíshìqiúshì de zuòfēng, cóng bù shuō kōnghuà.
  • English: I admire his pragmatic style; he never engages in empty talk.
  • Analysis: This sentence directly contrasts `实事求是` with its opposite, `说空话` (to speak empty words).
• Example 6:
  • 别那么理想化了，我们得实事求是地评估我们的预算。
  • Pinyin: Bié nàme lǐxiǎng huà le, wǒmen děi shíshìqiúshì de pínggū wǒmen de yùsuàn.
  • English: Stop being so idealistic; we need to assess our budget realistically.
  • Analysis: A perfect example of its use in daily life, urging someone to be practical and grounded, especially concerning concrete limitations like money.
• Example 7:
  • 领导的批评虽然尖锐，但很实事求是，对我的成长很有帮助。
  • Pinyin: Lǐngdǎo de pīpíng suīrán jiānruì, dàn hěn shíshìqiúshì, duì wǒ de chéngzhǎng hěn yǒu bāngzhù.
  • English: Although the leader's criticism was sharp, it was very fact-based and helpful for my growth.
  • Analysis: This shows that feedback described as `实事求是` may be difficult to hear, but it is valued because it is true and objective, not personal.
• Example 8:
  • 实事求是地说，这个项目成功的可能性不大。
  • Pinyin: Shíshìqiúshì de shuō, zhège xiàngmù chénggōng de kěnéng xìng bù dà.
  • English: To be realistic, the probability of this project succeeding is not high.
  • Analysis: Used here as a sentence opener, similar to “Frankly,” “To be honest,” or “Realistically speaking.” It signals that the speaker is about to deliver a potentially unpleasant but objective assessment.
• Example 9:
  • 历史研究需要实事求是的精神，不能凭空想象。
  • Pinyin: Lìshǐ yánjiū xūyào shíshìqiúshì de jīngshén, bùnéng píngkōng xiǎngxiàng.
  • English: Historical research requires a spirit of seeking truth from facts; you can't just rely on pure imagination.
  • Analysis: `精神` (jīngshén) means “spirit” or “ethos.” This frames `实事求是` not just as an action, but as a core value or spirit for a field of study.
• Example 10:
  • 他这个人最大的优点就是实事求是。
  • Pinyin: Tā zhège rén zuìdà de yōudiǎn jiùshì shíshìqiúshì.
  • English: This person's greatest strength is that he is pragmatic and realistic.
  • Analysis: Here, the entire four-character idiom functions as a noun phrase, describing a personal quality. This is a very high compliment in Chinese culture.

• False Friend Alert: Don't confuse `实事求是` with just “being practical” or “being pragmatic.” Being “practical” in English can sometimes imply finding an easy solution or a shortcut. `实事求是` is more rigorous. It implies a deep, honest investigation into the facts first, followed by a logical conclusion. The emphasis is on the truth-seeking process.
• Common Mistake: Using it for trivial, everyday choices. It sounds overly formal and even ridiculous to use it for simple matters.
  • Incorrect: 我们要实事求是地决定晚饭吃什么。(We must seek truth from facts to decide what to eat for dinner.)
  • Why it's wrong: This is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. The phrase is reserved for situations that require serious, objective analysis, like evaluating a policy, a business strategy, a person's character, or a complex problem. For dinner, you'd just say “我们看看冰箱里有什么吧” (Let's see what's in the fridge).
• Nuance of Critique: When used to advise someone, it's a polite way to criticize them for being too idealistic, emotional, or dogmatic. Saying “You need to be more `实事求是`” is a softer, more constructive way of saying “You're not facing reality.”

• 摸着石头过河 (mōzhe shítou guò hé) - “Crossing the river by feeling for stones.” This is the perfect metaphor for `实事求是` in action. It describes advancing cautiously, testing each step, and relying on practical experience rather than a grand, pre-made map.
• 脚踏实地 (jiǎo tà shí dì) - “To have one's feet firmly on the ground.” A close synonym that also means being practical and down-to-earth. `脚踏实地` focuses more on being grounded and hardworking, while `实事求是` focuses more on the intellectual process of finding truth.
• 具体问题具体分析 (jùtǐ wèntí jùtǐ fēnxī) - “Analyze specific problems specifically.” This is the direct application of the `实事求是` mindset—avoiding one-size-fits-all solutions and addressing the unique facts of each situation.
• 理论联系实际 (lǐlùn liánxì shíjì) - “To integrate theory with practice.” A principle that often goes hand-in-hand with `实事求是`. It argues that theories are useless unless they can be connected to and tested against reality.
• 空谈 (kōngtán) - “Empty talk; idle chatter.” A direct antonym. Someone who engages in `空谈` is the opposite of a `实事求是` person.
• 照本宣科 (zhào běn xuān kē) - “To read straight from the script; to be dogmatic.” An antonym describing a rigid, unthinking adherence to theory or rules, which is precisely what `实事求是` was meant to combat.