"...in a way that must be witnessed to be understood"

Question

Hi all,Chickens are inseparable from daily life in Indonesia in a way that must be witnessed to be understood. I got this from the TIME magazine about poultry in Indonesian culture and avain-flu pandemic. I don't really understand what is implied by the italicized phrase. Could you help me to understand it, please?Thank you. Best wishes,PBF

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

Chickens are inseparable from daily life in Indonesia in a way that must be witnessed to be understood.

I got this from the TIME magazine about poultry in Indonesian culture and avain-flu pandemic. I don't really understand what is implied by the italicized phrase. Could you help me to understand it, please?

Chickens are inseparable from daily life in Indonesia Simply put, there are lots of chickens everywhere in Indonesia

in a way that must be witnessed you have to see this

to be understood. so that you can understand it

In other words, I can tell you this but really you have to see it yourself.

Best wishes, Clive

CalifJim · Answer

You have to see it to believe it.
Seeing is believing.
You won't believe it unless you see it with your own eyes.

CJ

Clive · Answer

Hi CJ,

Hmmm, I don't entirely see 'understand' here as carrying the meaning of 'believe'.

I read it more along the lines that 'you may think you understand it, but you have to see it to understand it properly'.

Clive

CalifJim · Answer

You are absolutely right.
In my enthusiasm to show the original poster some common sayings, I lost track of the main point!
I guess that post was rather cryptic, wasn't it?

CJ

Peaceblinkfriend · Answer

Thank you for your replies, Calif Jim and Clive.

The post is rather cryptic.

Anyway, in other words, the writer is saying that the degree to which chickens are inseparable from daily life in Indonesia is immense, right?

Thank you agian.

Best wishes,

PBF

"...in a way that must be witnessed to be understood"

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions