不言而喻 bù yán ér yù
self-evident; it goes without saying
Literally: not speak yet understand
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Origin
From the Mencius (Jin Xin I): 施于四体,四体不言而喻 — virtue shows in the limbs, which understand without being told.
How to use it
Predicate or standalone; neutral, formal. Often 其重要性不言而喻.
Example sentences
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- 教育对一个国家未来的重要性不言而喻。Jiàoyù duì yí gè guójiā wèilái de zhòngyàoxìng bù yán ér yù.The importance of education for a country's future is self-evident.education toward one (measure) country future (attributive particle) importance not speak yet understand
- 他连夜赶来医院，对母亲的牵挂不言而喻。Tā liányè gǎn lái yīyuàn, duì mǔqīn de qiānguà bù yán ér yù.He rushed to the hospital overnight; his concern for his mother goes without saying.he overnight rush come hospital, toward mother (attributive particle) concern not speak yet understand
More chengyu about speech & communication
- 一针见血yì zhēn jiàn xiěto hit the nail on the head; incisive and to the point
- 侃侃而谈kǎn kǎn ér tánto speak with confidence and fluency; to talk with ease and assurance
- 言简意赅yán jiǎn yì gāiconcise and comprehensive; brief but to the point
- 含糊其辞hán hu qí cíto speak evasively; to be deliberately vague
- 危言耸听wēi yán sǒng tīngto spread alarmist talk; to exaggerate in order to frighten
- 一诺千金yí nuò qiān jīna promise worth a thousand pieces of gold; one's word is one's bond
- 振振有词zhèn zhèn yǒu cíto speak plausibly and at length; to argue with self-righteous confidence
- 唇枪舌剑chún qiāng shé jiàna heated verbal battle; to cross swords in debate