不言而喻
HSK 6- Emphasis
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
A fact or situation so obvious that no further explanation is needed.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
不言而喻 is a formal chengyu meaning that something is so clear and self-evident that it requires no verbal explanation. It is typically used to refer to a truth, a logical conclusion, or a situation that anyone can infer from context on their own. The phrase carries a formal register and appears most commonly in written language or speeches.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 环保的重要性不言而喻。繁: 環保的重要性不言而喻。Huánbǎo de zhòngyàoxìng bù yán ér yù.
The importance of environmental protection is self-evident.
- 他这么聪明，结果不言而喻。繁: 他這麼聰明，結果不言而喻。Tā zhème cōngmíng, jiéguǒ bù yán ér yù.
He is so intelligent that the outcome is self-evident.
- 父母的爱是不言而喻的。繁: 父母的愛是不言而喻的。Fùmǔ de ài shì bù yán ér yù de.
A parent's love is self-evident and needs no explanation.
- 锻炼对健康的好处不言而喻。繁: 鍛鍊對健康的好處不言而喻。Duànliàn duì jiànkāng de hǎochu bù yán ér yù.
The benefits of exercise for health are self-evident.
- 这个问题的原因是不言而喻的。繁: 這個問題的原因是不言而喻的。Zhège wèntí de yuányīn shì bù yán ér yù de.
The cause of this problem is self-evident.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:我不喜欢他，这是不言而喻的。Correct:大家都看得出我不喜欢他。
不言而喻 is used for objective facts, not emotions or personal viewpoints that have not been universally accepted.
- Wrong:老师不言而喻地解释了问题。Correct:老师的解释非常清楚。
不言而喻 functions as a predicate or attributive; it cannot be used as an adverbial modifier for verbs like "explain."