How to Say “Bystanders” in Chinese?

In China, if two people are having a quarrel on the street, it would attract a lot of people’s attention. Chinese people are just curious about everything that is happening around them, and they think it is fun to have something to eat whilst watching people arguing. In Chinese, we call these people 吃瓜群众 (chī guā qún zhòng). So, how to say “bystanders” in Chinese?

吃瓜群众
(chī guā qún zhòng)
bystanders; gawkers

吃 (chī) • to eat
瓜 (guā) • melon
群众 (qún zhòng) • crowds, masses

Put together, this phrase literally means “the crowds of people who are eating melons”, and it’s usually used to refer to bystanders or gawkers who have nothing serious to do, and are only there to watch a show.

Examples

两个女人在路边大声吵架，这吸引了很多吃瓜群众。
Liǎng gè nǚrén zài lù biān dàshēng chǎojià, zhè xīyǐnle hěnduō chī guā qúnzhòng.
Two women are having a fierce argument on the street, which attracts a lot of bystanders’ attention.

很多出瓜群众在车祸现场。
Hěnduō chū guā qúnzhòng zài chēhuò xiànchǎng.
There was a car accident, and a lot of gawkers were on the scene.

Your Turn to Practice 吃瓜群众

Now it’s your turn! Make a phrase or sentence with the phrase 吃瓜群众, and leave it in the comments below. You’ll get a chance to practice, and we will reply to you with valuable language feedback 👇