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kǎn 侃 kǎn 侃 ér 而 tán 谈

侃侃而谈 kǎn kǎn ér tán

to speak with confidence and fluency; to talk with ease and assurance

Literally: composed composed and talk

Advanced 💬 Speech & communication
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Origin

From the Analects (Xiang Dang): 朝,与下大夫言,侃侃如也 — at court Confucius spoke to the lower officials in a frank, composed manner.

How to use it

Predicate; positive. Often 在会上侃侃而谈.

Example sentences

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  1. 面对几百名听众，他侃侃而谈，毫不紧张。
    Miànduì jǐ bǎi míng tīngzhòng, tā kǎn kǎn ér tán, háo bù jǐnzhāng.
    Facing several hundred listeners, he spoke confidently and fluently without a trace of nervousness.
    face several hundred (measure) audience, he composed composed and talk, not-at-all nervous
  2. 一谈到历史，平时沉默寡言的他就会侃侃而谈。
    Yì tán dào lìshǐ, píngshí chénmò guǎyán de tā jiù huì kǎn kǎn ér tán.
    As soon as history comes up, this normally taciturn man talks with ease and assurance.
    once talk to history, usually silent few-words (attributive particle) he then will composed composed and talk

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