# 显而易见

xiǎn ér yì jiàn

Be readily apparent

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Visible and easy to see

**Traditional Chinese:** 顯而易見

**Register:** Neutral · formal

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

## When to use it

Use for a conclusion that seems clear from the evidence.

Avoid using it to dismiss someone’s reasonable need for an explanation.

## Behind the words

The paired ideas of visibility and ease reinforce obviousness. Written usage often introduces a conclusion treated as readily observable.

The expression describes a fact, difference, or result as easy to recognize. It can introduce a claim or follow the evidence supporting one. Calling something obvious does not make it true; in disagreement, provide the observations that justify the judgment. Compare 一目了然, which more directly emphasizes clarity obtained from a glance or presentation.

## Examples

这个方法节省了时间，效果显而易见。

### Traditional Chinese

這個方法節省了時間，效果顯而易見。

zhè ge fāng fǎ jié shěng le shí jiān ， xiào guǒ xiǎn ér yì jiàn 。

This method saves time, and the benefit is readily apparent.

这两个版本的差别显而易见。

### Traditional Chinese

這兩個版本的差別顯而易見。

zhè liǎng gè bǎn běn de chā bié xiǎn ér yì jiàn 。

The difference between the two versions is readily apparent.

没有足够人手就无法按时完成，这一点显而易见。

### Traditional Chinese

沒有足夠人手就無法按時完成，這一點顯而易見。

méi yǒu zú gòu rén shǒu jiù wú fǎ àn shí wán chéng ， zhè yì diǎn xiǎn ér yì jiàn 。

It is obvious that the work cannot finish on time without enough staff.

改善后的效果显而易见，大家都注意到了。

### Traditional Chinese

改善後的效果顯而易見，大家都注意到了。

gǎi shàn hòu de xiào guǒ xiǎn ér yì jiàn ， dà jiā dōu zhù yì dào le 。

The improvement was readily apparent, and everyone noticed it.

## 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=9121&q=1&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E9%A1%AF%E8%80%8C%E6%98%93%E8%A6%8B)

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