客观 (kèguān) — objective; impartial
HSK 5 | adjective/adverb | not influenced by personal feelings; based on observable facts
客观 (kèguān)
Objectivity means being based on facts and evidence rather than personal feelings, biases, or opinions, and is highly valued in academic, journalistic, and scientific contexts.
Meanings
- [adjective] objective; impartial; unbiased; based on external facts
- [adverb] objectively; impartially
Example Sentences
作为裁判，他必须保持客观公正的态度。 Zuòwéi cáipàn, tā bìxū bǎochí kèguān gōngzhèng de tàidù. As a referee, he must maintain an objective and impartial attitude.
我们应该客观地评估这项政策的效果。 Wǒmen yīnggāi kèguān de pínggū zhè xiàng zhèngcè de xiàoguǒ. We should objectively evaluate the effectiveness of this policy.
这篇报道很客观，没有明显的偏向性。 Zhè piān bàodào hěn kèguān, méiyǒu míngxiǎn de piānyǒu xìng. This report is very objective and has no obvious bias.
科学研究要求研究者保持客观的立场。 Kēxué yánjiū yāoqiú yánjiū zhě bǎochí kèguān de lìchǎng. Scientific research requires researchers to maintain an objective stance.
客观条件的限制使这个项目难以按时完成。 Kèguān tiáojiàn de xiànzhì shǐ zhège xiàngmù nányǐ ànshí wánchéng. Constraints from objective conditions make it difficult to complete this project on time.
她很客观地承认了自己在这件事上的错误。 Tā hěn kèguān de chéngrènle zìjǐ zài zhè jiàn shì shàng de cuòwù. She objectively acknowledged her mistakes in this matter.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 客观公正 (kèguān gōngzhèng) | objective and fair |
| 客观评价 (kèguān píngjià) | objective evaluation |
| 客观条件 (kèguān tiáojiàn) | objective conditions (external factors) |
| 客观事实 (kèguān shìshí) | objective facts |
| 保持客观 (bǎochí kèguān) | to remain objective |
| 客观存在 (kèguān cúnzài) | objective existence (existing independently of perception) |
Usage Notes
客观 is the antonym of 主观 (subjective). The distinction is important in academic, legal, journalistic, and philosophical contexts. 客观条件 (objective conditions) is a special usage referring to external, real-world constraints that exist independently of human will -- it has a philosophical flavor in Chinese usage.
Note that 客观 can describe both people's attitudes (他很客观 -- he is very objective) and things or situations (客观存在的问题 -- problems that objectively exist). The adverbial form is simply 客观地 (objectively).
Memory Hook
客 means "guest" -- a guest has no personal stake in your home, so a guest's perspective is naturally more objective than the host's. Being like a guest means seeing things objectively.