实践是检验真理的标准

You use this to end a long, circular debate. When people are over-analyzing a situation, drop this line. It shifts the focus from talking to doing. You can use it seriously in a business meeting. You can also use it playfully with friends. It sounds authoritative and wise. It shows you value hard evidence. Use it when you want to see a prototype or a pilot program.

Use it when testing a new business strategy. Use it when a friend has a wild new theory about dating. It’s perfect for the tech world when debugging code. Use it at a restaurant when debating if a dish is spicy. If someone claims they can do 100 pushups, say this. It challenges them to prove it. It's great for any situation involving a 'theory vs. reality' conflict.

Don't use it for purely subjective things like art. You can't 'test' if a painting is beautiful. Avoid using it for deeply personal feelings or faith. It might sound too cold or clinical there. Don't use it for very simple, obvious facts. It’s too heavy for 'Is the sky blue?' Also, avoid it if you want to be very gentle. It can sound a bit like a lecture if you aren't careful.

This phrase is legendary in modern Chinese history. It became famous in 1978 through a very important newspaper article. At that time, China was shifting its entire national strategy. It moved the country from strict ideology to practical economic growth. It basically gave people permission to experiment and innovate. It’s the backbone of the 'Reform and Opening-up' era. Every adult in China knows this phrase by heart.

You will often hear people add the word 唯一 (wéiyī), meaning 'only.' The full version is 实践是检验真理的唯一标准. Another common related saying is 实践出真知 (shíjiàn chū zhēnzhī). That means 'knowledge comes from practice.' Both emphasize that doing is better than just thinking. You might also hear 实事求是 (shí shì qiú shì). This means 'seek truth from facts.'