Chinese word

免谈

Pronunciation

Pinyinmiǎn tán

Meaning

  • verbout of the question

Example

这个计划现在免谈，时间不够。zhè ge jì huà xiàn zài miǎn tán shí jiān bú gòu

This plan is out of the question right now; there isn't enough time.

Illustration for 免谈 (out of the question)

More examples

你们的要求太高了，这个条件免谈吧。nǐ men de yāo qiú tài gāo le zhè ge tiáo jiàn miǎn tán ba

Your demands are too high, so this condition is out of the question.

Core concept

A topic is removed from the table entirely, leaving no opening for negotiation or consideration.

Common phrases

  • 免谈吧miǎn tán ba

    not up for discussion

  • 这事免谈zhè shì miǎn tán

    this matter is out of the question

Similar words

别提bié tí: Says that a subject should not be mentioned.
不谈bù tán: Refuses to discuss a particular subject.
别说bié shuō: Commands someone to keep a matter from being spoken aloud.

Definition in Chinese

表示某事无从谈起或完全不可能讨论，语气断然，主要用于口语否定。biǎo shì mǒu shì wú cóng tán qǐ huò wán quán bù kě néng tǎo lùn yǔ qì duàn rán zhǔ yào yòng yú kóu yǔ fǒu dìng

Word origin

免 (miǎn, "be exempt from") + 谈 (tán, "discuss") literally excludes a matter from talk, giving the compound its decisive everyday sense of refusing to entertain it.

Usage tips

  • Its tone is closer to a firm "No way" than to a polite request to wait, which makes it useful for recognizing strong refusals in casual speech.

Other meanings

  • not up for discussionadjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word