# 捕风捉影

bǔ fēng zhuō yǐng

Make claims from flimsy evidence

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Catch wind and seize shadows

**Traditional Chinese:** 捕風捉影

**Register:** Critical · general

[Perspective](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/perspective)

## When to use it

Criticize speculation or accusation without solid support.

Not every uncertain hypothesis is irresponsible.

## Understanding the expression

Wind cannot be held, and a shadow has no substance to grasp. Together they portray an attempt to build a firm claim out of insubstantial material. The expression often criticizes rumors and accusations based on vague impressions. A responsible hypothesis can remain tentative while seeking evidence; the problem is treating weak hints as established facts. Naming the missing evidence helps turn the criticism into a useful correction rather than another unsupported claim.

## Examples

仅凭一张模糊照片就是捕风捉影。

### Traditional Chinese

僅憑一張模糊照片就是捕風捉影。

jǐn píng yì zhāng mó hu zhào piàn jiù shì bǔ fēng zhuō yǐng 。

A blurry photo alone is flimsy evidence.

别捕风捉影地怀疑同事。

### Traditional Chinese

別捕風捉影地懷疑同事。

bié bǔ fēng zhuō yǐng dì huái yí tóng shì 。

Do not suspect colleagues on flimsy grounds.

这篇报道捕风捉影，没有核实。

### Traditional Chinese

這篇報道捕風捉影，沒有核實。

zhè piān bào dào bǔ fēng zhuō yǐng ， méi yǒu hé shí 。

The report speculates without verification.

调查要找证据，不能捕风捉影。

### Traditional Chinese

調查要找證據，不能捕風捉影。

diào chá yào zhǎo zhèng jù ， bù néng bǔ fēng zhuō yǐng 。

Investigations need evidence, not unsupported guesses.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E6%8D%95%E9%A2%A8%E6%8D%89%E5%BD%B1)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=470&webMd=1&la=0)

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