demon-revealing mirror; litmus test
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesnoun
magic mirror that reveals the true form of demons and monsters
Originating from classical Chinese mythology and fiction, such as 'Journey to the West'. Typically used in fantasy or historical contexts.
《
Xī西
yóu游
jì记
》
lǐ里
de的
zhào照
yāo妖
jìng镜
néng能
kàn看
chuān穿
yāo妖
guài怪
de的
yuán原
xíng形
。
The demon-revealing mirror in 'Journey to the West' can see through the true forms of monsters.
Chuán传
shuō说
zhōng中
，
zhè这
miàn面
zhào照
yāo妖
jìng镜
shì是
shén神
xiān仙
liú留
xià下
de的
bǎo宝
wù物
。
According to legend, this demon-revealing mirror was a treasure left behind by immortals.
noun
figurative: something that reveals the true nature of a person or thing
Metaphorical usage in modern contexts. Often used to describe situations, tests, or tools that expose hidden truths, hypocrisy, or corruption.
Wǎng网
luò络
jiù就
xiàng像
yī一
miàn面
zhào照
yāo妖
jìng镜
，
bào暴
lù露
le了
rén人
xìng性
de的
shàn善
è恶
。
The internet is like a demon-revealing mirror, exposing the good and evil of human nature.
Zhè这
chǎng场
wēi危
jī机
chéng成
le了
zhào照
yāo妖
jìng镜
，
zhào照
chū出
le了
shuí谁
shì是
zhēn真
zhèng正
de的
péng朋
yǒu友
。
This crisis became a demon-revealing mirror, showing who are the true friends.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Shí时
jiān间
shì是
jiǎn检
yàn验
zhēn真
lǐ理
de的
zhào照
yāo妖
jìng镜
。
Time is the demon-revealing mirror that tests truth.