耳听为虚，眼见为实

You can use this phrase as a full sentence. It works great when you finally see something you've heard about. Just say it with a confident nod. It shows you are a practical person. You don't just follow the crowd blindly. You value evidence and first-hand experience. It can be a reaction or a justification for a visit. It makes you sound wise and grounded.

Use it when visiting a famous landmark for the first time. Use it when meeting a "legendary" person. It is perfect for business deals too. If a partner makes big promises, use this. It reminds everyone that results matter more than talk. It is also great for debunking internet rumors. When you see a magic trick, this is your go-to line. Use it when you are pleasantly surprised by reality.

Do not use this for things you cannot see. Love, faith, or complex physics don't fit here. It sounds a bit cynical in very romantic moments. Avoid it if someone is sharing a deep, personal feeling. You do not want to sound like a detective then. It is for physical facts, not abstract emotions. Don't use it if you are actually blindfolded at a dinner party.

This phrase is incredibly old. It appears in the 汉书 (Book of Han) from the first century. Chinese culture values empirical evidence in history and governance. It reflects a grounded, realistic worldview. People have been skeptical of gossip for thousands of years! It shows that human nature hasn't changed much. We still need proof before we believe the hype.

The most famous cousin is 百闻不如一见. That means hearing a hundred times isn't like seeing once. You might also hear just the second half: 眼见为实. People often shorten the phrase in casual talk. Both versions carry the same weight. They all champion the power of the visual. It is a core part of Chinese pragmatism.