# 实事求是

shí shì qiú shì

Base judgment on the facts

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Seek what is true from the actual situation

**Traditional Chinese:** 實事求是

**Register:** Neutral · formal

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Use to urge accurate assessment grounded in evidence.

It is common in formal and public language and can carry political associations.

## Behind the words

An early historical description values seeking truth through concrete evidence. Later usage broadened it into a principle of factual judgment.

The expression calls for examining actual circumstances in order to reach a sound judgment. Modern uses value evidence, accuracy, and a realistic account of both strengths and problems. It can appear in formal or political language as well as everyday discussion. Avoid using it merely as a label for one's own opinion without providing the facts supporting that opinion.

## Examples

评价这次项目，要实事求是，既看成绩也看问题。

### Traditional Chinese

評價這次項目，要實事求是，既看成績也看問題。

píng jià zhè cì xiàng mù ， yào shí shì qiú shì ， jì kàn chéng jì yě kàn wèn tí 。

Evaluate this project honestly, considering both achievements and problems.

评估结果时，要实事求是，不能只挑好看的数字。

### Traditional Chinese

評估結果時，要實事求是，不能只挑好看的數字。

píng gū jié guǒ shí ， yào shí shì qiú shì ， bù néng zhī tiāo hǎo kàn de shù zì 。

Evaluate the results honestly rather than selecting only flattering numbers.

他实事求是地承认了项目的不足。

### Traditional Chinese

他實事求是地承認了項目的不足。

tā shí shì qiú shì dì chéng rèn le xiàng mù dì bù zú 。

He acknowledged the project's shortcomings on the basis of the facts.

我们应该实事求是地讨论成本和收益。

### Traditional Chinese

我們應該實事求是地討論成本和收益。

wǒ men yīng gāi shí shì qiú shì dì tǎo lùn chéng běn hé shōu yì 。

We should discuss costs and benefits realistically.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 4, 2026.

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1196&q=1&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%AF%A6%E4%BA%8B%E6%B1%82%E6%98%AF)

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