鑒 (jiàn) - To inspect & to examine

鑒Tone 4

jiàn ｜ 22 strokes ｜ radical:

健傑

鑒 · jiàn

To inspect;

to examine;

to reflect;

a mirror;

a warning;

used in words meaning to learn from past experiences.

To inspectto examineto reflect

Usage highlights

AppraisalReferenceMirrorLearn from past mistakesDistinguishInspector

Synonyms

  • 镜— mirror
  • 察— observe, examine
  • 审— scrutinize, examine

Antonyms

  • 蔽— cover, conceal
  • 瞒— hide, conceal

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Use history as a mirror (以史为鉴).
  • Learn from past mistakes (鉴往知来).
  • This serves as a warning (以此为鉴).
  • Appraisal of cultural relics (文物鉴定).

Collocations

  • Appraisal(鉴定)
  • Reference(借鉴)
  • Mirror(镜子)
  • Learn from past mistakes(鉴戒)
  • Distinguish(鉴别)
  • Inspector(鉴定人)

Idioms

  • Learn from others' mistakes(前车之鉴)
  • Use history as a mirror(以史为鉴)
  • Learn from the past to know the future(鉴往知来)
  • Clear as a mirror and still as water(鉴明止水)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally referred to a bronze mirror used for reflection in ancient China.
  • Extended meaning to mean examining, evaluating, and learning from experiences.
  • Often used in historical and philosophical contexts about learning from the past.

FAQ