Chinese word

不言而喻

Pronunciation

Pinyinbù yán ér yù

Meaning

  • idiomgo without saying

Example

这件事的结果不言而喻。zhè jiàn shì de jié guǒ bù yán ér yù

The result of this matter goes without saying.

Illustration for 不言而喻 (go without saying)

More examples

看他那番答复，态度不言而喻。kàn tā nà fān dá fù tài dù bù yán ér yù

Judging by his reply, his attitude goes without saying.

Core concept

A conclusion is so clear that words add nothing to its meaning.

Common phrases

  • 态度不言而喻tài dù bù yán ér yù

    attitude goes without saying

  • 结论不言而喻jié lùn bù yán ér yù

    conclusion goes without saying

Similar words

自不待言zì bú dài yán: Plainly understood without needing to be stated.
不言自明bù yán zì míng: Becomes clear on its own without being put into words.
无需多言wú xū duō yán: Needs no lengthy explanation to convey the point.
显而易见xiǎn ér yì jiàn: Plainly obvious to anyone who sees the facts.

Definition in Chinese

不需要多言就能被理解或显而易见。bù xū yào duō yán jiù néng bèi lí jiě huò xiǎn ér yì jiàn

Word origin

不 (bù, "not") + 言 (yán, "speak") + 而 (ér, "and") + 喻 (yù, "make understood") frames a meaning that needs no spoken explanation.

Usage tips

  • In conversational Chinese, this idiom sounds more measured and written than everyday speech, so it fits a report, explanation, or careful comment better than a quick reaction.

Other meanings

  • obviousidiom
  • self-evidentidiom

Word lists with this word