Definition
识相 is a stative verb meaning 'to be sensible and know how to behave appropriately in a social situation' — it describes someone who reads the room, understands unspoken cues, and avoids causing trouble or embarrassment. It's often used in warnings or advice (识相点!'Be sensible!') and carries a slightly negative connotation when used in the negative (不识相 'tactless, clueless'). The English gloss 'sensible/tactful' is close but misses the situational-awareness nuance.
s.v.
to be sensible and know how to behave appropriately in a situationto be tactful
Examples
- 识相,。Nǐ zuì hǎo shí xiàng diǎn, bié zài zhèlǐ nào shì.You'd better be sensible and not cause trouble here.
- 识相,,。Tā tài bù shí xiàng le, dàjiā dōu zài máng, tā hái zài liáo tiān.He's so tactless — everyone is busy, and he's still chatting.
- ,识相。Zài zhè zhǒng chǎnghé, nǐ yào xuéhuì shí xiàng.In this kind of situation, you need to learn to be tactful.
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