kèguān: 客观 - Objective, Impartial

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• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 客观 (kèguān), which means objective or impartial. This guide breaks down its meaning, cultural significance, and practical use in modern China. Discover how to use 客观 (kèguān) correctly in academic, professional, and daily conversations to sound more like a native speaker, and understand its crucial contrast with its opposite, 主观 (zhǔguān), or “subjective”.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): kèguān
• Part of Speech: Adjective, Adverb
• HSK Level: 5
• Concise Definition: Based on facts and reality, rather than personal feelings, interpretations, or prejudice.
• In a Nutshell: 客观 (kèguān) is the idea of seeing things from a neutral, detached perspective, like a scientist observing an experiment or a judge hearing a case. It's about removing your own biases and emotions to analyze a situation “as it is”. It is the direct opposite of being subjective (主观 zhǔguān), which is to see things through the lens of your own personal experience and feelings.

• 客 (kè): This character means “guest,” “visitor,” or “customer.” Think of someone who is external, an outsider, not the “host” of the situation.
• 观 (guān): This character means “to look at,” “to observe,” or “to view.” It implies a careful act of watching.

When combined, 客观 (kèguān) literally translates to “a guest's view” or “to observe as a guest.” This brilliantly captures the essence of objectivity: you are not the central subject (the “host,” or 主 zhǔ), but rather a detached observer looking in from the outside. This mental image makes it easy to remember its meaning and its relationship to the antonym 主观 (zhǔguān), which uses the character for “host” or “master” (主).

While 客观 (kèguān) is a standard term in modern Chinese, its emphasis reflects a concept heavily influenced by Western scientific and philosophical thought. It represents a universal ideal of fact-based reasoning. However, its application can differ from the West. In Western culture, particularly American culture, “being objective” is almost always seen as a virtue, a gold standard for everything from journalism to management. In China, while objectivity is highly valued in academic and technical fields, in social and interpersonal contexts, a purely 客观 approach can sometimes be perceived as cold, detached, or lacking 人情味 (rénqíngwèi)—“human warmth/feeling.” For example, when mediating a conflict between two friends, a Western approach might be to “objectively list the facts.” A traditional Chinese approach might prioritize preserving the harmony and 面子 (miànzi), or “face,” of both parties, which might require a less direct, less clinically objective solution. So, while the word means the same thing, the cultural wisdom lies in knowing when to be purely objective and when to temper it with social and emotional considerations.

客观 (kèguān) is a common and important word in educated and formal contexts.

This is where the term is most at home. It's used constantly in reports, analyses, research, and business meetings.

• “我们需要一份客观的分析报告。” (Wǒmen xūyào yī fèn kèguān de fēnxī bàogào.) - “We need an objective analysis report.”
• “请客观地评价一下这个项目。” (Qǐng kèguān de píngjià yīxià zhège xiàngmù.) - “Please evaluate this project objectively.”

It is often used to preface a statement to lend it credibility or to show that you are trying to be fair.

• “客观地说，这部电影确实不错。” (Kèguān de shuō, zhè bù diànyǐng quèshí bùcuò.) - “Objectively speaking, this movie really isn't bad.”
• It can be used to describe a person who is fair-minded: “他这个人很客观，不偏袒任何人。” (Tā zhège rén hěn kèguān, bù piāntǎn rènhé rén.) - “He is a very objective person; he doesn't favor anyone.”

It can also refer to “objective conditions,” meaning factors that are outside of anyone's personal control.

• “由于一些客观原因，会议被推迟了。” (Yóuyú yīxiē kèguān yuányīn, huìyì bèi tuīchí le.) - “Due to some objective reasons (i.e., external factors), the meeting was postponed.”

• Example 1:
  • 作为一名记者，你应该保持客观。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi yī míng jìzhě, nǐ yīnggāi bǎochí kèguān.
  • English: As a journalist, you should remain objective.
  • Analysis: This shows a very common and standard use of 客观, emphasizing the professional requirement for impartiality.
• Example 2:
  • 请你对我的工作表现做一个客观的评价。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng nǐ duì wǒ de gōngzuò biǎoxiàn zuò yīgè kèguān de píngjià.
  • English: Please give me an objective evaluation of my work performance.
  • Analysis: This is a typical sentence you might hear in a workplace. Using 客观 here implies you want honest feedback, not just flattery.
• Example 3:
  • 客观地说，虽然我不喜欢他，但他的方案是最好的。
  • Pinyin: Kèguān de shuō, suīrán wǒ bù xǐhuān tā, dàn tā de fāng'àn shì zuì hǎo de.
  • English: Objectively speaking, although I don't like him, his proposal is the best.
  • Analysis: The phrase 客观地说 is a very useful way to signal that you are setting aside your personal feelings to make a fair judgment.
• Example 4:
  • 我们必须承认这个客观事实。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bìxū chéngrèn zhège kèguān shìshí.
  • English: We must acknowledge this objective fact.
  • Analysis: Here, 客观 modifies 事实 (shìshí, “fact”), emphasizing that it is an undeniable reality, independent of anyone's wishes.
• Example 5:
  • 分析问题时，不要太主观，要客观一点。
  • Pinyin: Fēnxī wèntí shí, bùyào tài zhǔguān, yào kèguān yīdiǎn.
  • English: When analyzing problems, don't be too subjective; be a little more objective.
  • Analysis: This sentence perfectly illustrates the direct contrast between 客观 and its antonym, 主观 (zhǔguān).
• Example 6:
  • 恶劣的天气是导致项目延期的客观因素。
  • Pinyin: Èliè de tiānqì shì dǎozhì xiàngmù yánqī de kèguān yīnsù.
  • English: The bad weather was an objective factor that caused the project's delay.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the use of 客观 to mean external, uncontrollable conditions, as opposed to subjective factors like poor planning.
• Example 7:
  • 我认为他的看法不够客观，带有很多个人情绪。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ rènwéi tā de kànfǎ bùgòu kèguān, dài yǒu hěnduō gèrén qíngxù.
  • English: I think his viewpoint isn't objective enough; it carries a lot of personal emotion.
  • Analysis: A great example of how to critique an idea as being biased. “不够客观” (bùgòu kèguān - not objective enough) is a common and slightly gentler way to express this.
• Example 8:
  • 从客观的角度来看，双方都有责任。
  • Pinyin: Cóng kèguān de jiǎodù lái kàn, shuāngfāng dōu yǒu zérèn.
  • English: From an objective point of view, both sides have responsibility.
  • Analysis: “从…的角度来看” (cóng…de jiǎodù lái kàn) means “from the perspective of…” and is frequently paired with 客观.
• Example 9:
  • 历史研究追求的是对历史事件的客观描述。
  • Pinyin: Lìshǐ yánjiū zhuīqiú de shì duì lìshǐ shìjiàn de kèguān miáoshù.
  • English: Historical research seeks an objective description of historical events.
  • Analysis: This shows the term's use in an academic context, highlighting the ideal of unbiased historical accounts.
• Example 10:
  • 我们不能忽视经济发展的客观规律。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bùnéng hūshì jīngjì fāzhǎn de kèguān guīlǜ.
  • English: We cannot ignore the objective laws of economic development.
  • Analysis: This refers to principles or laws that exist and operate independently of human will, a common concept in social sciences and political discourse.

• Don't Be a Robot: The most common mistake for learners is using 客观 in situations that demand empathy. If your friend is crying over a breakup, telling them to “be objective” (你要客观一点) is likely to be seen as cold and unhelpful. In such cases, emotional support is more appropriate than a detached analysis.
• Objective vs. Fair: 客观 (kèguān) is about unbiased perception of facts. 公平 (gōngpíng) is about fairness in treatment or outcome. While related, they are not the same. A judge must be 客观 in reviewing evidence in order to deliver a 公平 verdict.
• Incorrect Usage Example:
  • (Your friend fails an exam and is very upset.)
  • Incorrect: 你要客观一点，你就是没复习好。(Nǐ yào kèguān yīdiǎn, nǐ jiùshì méi fùxí hǎo.) - “You need to be more objective, you just didn't review well.”
  • Why it's wrong: While factually true, it's insensitive and dismisses your friend's feelings. It's socially “incorrect.”
  • Better: “别难过了，我们看看哪里出了问题，下次肯定能考好。” (Bié nánguòle, wǒmen kàn kàn nǎlǐ chūle wèntí, xià cì kěndìng néng kǎo hǎo.) - “Don't be sad, let's see where the problems were. You'll definitely do well next time.”

• 主观 (zhǔguān) - The direct antonym: “subjective.” Based on personal feelings and opinions.
• 公平 (gōngpíng) - “Fairness,” especially in how people are treated or how resources are distributed. An objective analysis can lead to a fair outcome.
• 公正 (gōngzhèng) - “Just,” “impartial.” Very similar to 公平 but more formal, often used in legal or official contexts.
• 事实 (shìshí) - “Fact.” An objective claim is supported by facts.
• 现实 (xiànshí) - “Reality.” Can be modified by 客观 to mean “objective reality.”
• 理性 (lǐxìng) - “Rational,” “reason.” Being rational is a necessary state for being objective.
• 冷静 (lěngjìng) - “Calm,” “cool-headed.” An emotional state that allows one to be more objective.
• 中立 (zhōnglì) - “Neutral,” as in not taking a side in a conflict (e.g., a neutral country). It's about position, whereas 客观 is about perspective.
• 评价 (píngjià) - “Evaluation,” “to evaluate.” An action that ideally should be done in an 客观 manner.