白日见鬼 (Bái rì jiàn guǐ)

Basic Info

• Chinese Idiom: 白日见鬼 (Bái rì jiàn guǐ)
• Pinyin: bái rì jiàn guǐ
• Literal meaning: “Seeing a ghost in broad daylight.”
  (白日 = broad daylight / daytime; 见 = to see; 鬼 = ghost)

Figurative Definition

It describes something absurd, bizarre, or utterly unexpected – as shocking as seeing a ghost in the middle of the day, when ghosts are supposed to be invisible. It is used to express disbelief, astonishment, or mockery at something that seems impossible or ridiculous.

It can describe:

• An absurd claim or event – something that defies all common sense.
• An utterly unexpected occurrence – a shockingly strange turn of events.
• A far-fetched story – something too ridiculous to believe.

In its original historical sense, it also described a government office so deserted and quiet that it was as eerie as a place where ghosts might appear.

In short: something so absurd it is like seeing a ghost at noon.

Cultural & Historical Origin

This idiom traces back to the Han Dynasty philosopher Wang Chong (王充, 27–97 CE), in his skeptical masterwork Lunheng · Dinggui (《论衡·订鬼》 – “Balanced Inquiries: On Ghosts”):

“夫精念存想，或泄于目，或泄于口，或泄于耳。泄于目，目见其形，昼日则鬼见，暮卧则梦闻。”

“When obsessive thoughts and imaginings are stored in the mind, they may leak out through the eyes, mouth, or ears. If they leak through the eyes, the eyes see forms – so in broad daylight, ghosts appear; at night in bed, they are heard in dreams.”

Wang Chong was arguing that ghosts are not real external beings – they are projections of an overactive, anxious mind. “Seeing a ghost in broad daylight” was, for him, a symptom of mental disturbance, not a supernatural event.

Over time, the idiom shifted from this philosophical critique to a more general expression: something so bizarre and impossible that it is like seeing a ghost in the daytime.

The original historical meaning – describing a deserted government office – comes from the image of an official post so quiet and lifeless that it feels haunted.

Key Lesson

Not everything strange is true – and not everything true is strange. The idiom is a reality check: when you hear something absurd, do not immediately believe it. Ask whether it is a genuine event or a projection of fear, rumor, or imagination. At the same time, it carries a lighter side: sometimes life really does produce events so bizarre that they seem like “白日见鬼” – and all you can do is laugh at the absurdity.

Cultural Note

In modern Chinese, “白日见鬼” is a colloquial, expressive idiom. It is used in:

• Disbelief – “真是白日见鬼了！他怎么会同意？” (“This is like seeing a ghost in daylight! Why would he agree?”)
• Mocking absurd claims – dismissing a ridiculous story or excuse.
• Describing strange coincidences – something so unlikely it feels supernatural.
• Historical descriptions – of deserted, lifeless government offices.

It is closely related to “荒诞不经” (huāng dàn bù jīng – “absurd and unreasonable”). Its tone can range from genuine shock to humorous exaggeration.

Similar English Expressions

• Ghost in broad daylight – A direct literal parallel.
• Pigs might fly – Expressing disbelief at something impossible.
• When hell freezes over – Something that will never happen.
• Beyond belief – Too strange or shocking to believe.
• Absurd / Preposterous – Ridiculous and contrary to reason.
• Bizarre – Very strange and unusual.
• Out of the blue – Completely unexpected (less about absurdity).
• A figment of one’s imagination – Something imagined, not real (closest to Wang Chong’s original meaning).

The closest and most natural equivalents are “pigs might fly,” “beyond belief,” and “preposterous.”

In short, “白日见鬼” means seeing a ghost in broad daylight – a vivid, slightly eerie idiom for the absurd and the unbelievable, and a reminder that the strangest things are sometimes real, and the most real things are sometimes stranger than ghosts.