CHENGYU
一目了然(yī mù liǎo rán)meaning, story and origin
- Register:
- neutral
- Source:
- 明·张岱《皇华考序》
MEANING
- Literal
- clear at one glance
- Figurative meaning
- instantly understandable; obvious at a look
ORIGIN STORY
The Ming scholar Zhang Dai wrote that with a good map in hand, "the roads of three counties are clear at one glance". The phrase praises anything presented so well that a single look suffices.
NATURAL EQUIVALENT
“clear at a glance”
EXAMPLES
这张图把数据画得一目了然。Zhè zhāng tú bǎ shùjù huà de yī mù liǎo rán.HSK6
This chart makes the data clear at a single glance.
事情的原因一目了然。Shìqing de yuányīn yī mù liǎo rán.HSK6
The cause of the matter is plain at one look.
COMMON MISTAKE
Watch out: Note the reading: 了 is liǎo. It is about clarity, not about something being small or quick.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
Tap a character to explore it
TRUST & SOURCES
- Reviewed by
- AI-assisted editorial review
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-15
- CC-CEDICT 2026-01-01