- 袖手旁观 xiùshǒupángguān stand byto watch with folded arms; to look on without lifting a finger
- 旁观者 pángguānzhě observera person who watches an event or situation without being directly involved
- 冷眼旁观 lěngyǎnpángguān look on indifferentlyto observe with an indifferent attitude; to be a bystander (usually referring to someone who could get involved but chooses not to)
- 旁观者清 pángguānzhěqīng spectators see clearlyan outsider can see things more clearly or objectively than those involved
- 拱手旁观 gǒngshǒupángguān stand byto watch from the sidelines and do nothing
- 当局者迷，旁观者清 dāngjúzhěmí, pángguānzhěqīng bystanders see clearerthe person involved is confused while the onlooker sees clearly; an outsider can see things more objectively than those involved
