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HSK 7-9
yǒu有haveyǎn眼eyeswú无nozhū珠pearl
To be blind to talent or worth; not to know a good thing when one sees it.

Literal meaning

have (有) — eyes (眼) — no (无) — pearl (珠)

Origin

A classical four-character phrase criticizing someone's poor judgment.

Examples

Nǐ你zhēn真shì是gè个yǒu有yǎn眼wú无zhū珠de的rén人,zhè这me么hǎo好de的jī机huì会dōu都cuò错guò过le了。
You really don't know a good thing when you see it, you missed such a good opportunity.
Lǎo老bǎn板yǒu有yǎn眼wú无zhū珠,mái埋mò没le了tā他de的cái才huá华。
The boss is blind to talent and has buried his talent.

Usage & nuances

Negative connotation; implies a lack of discernment.

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