Chinese Conversation · Level 71
90 words
Chinese word
说一不二
Pronunciation
Pinyinshuō yī bù èr
Meaning
- idiomkeep one's word
Example
他是个说一不二的人。tā shì gè shuō yí bú èr de rén
He is a person who keeps his word.
More examples
小李对约定说一不二，从不迟到。xiǎo lǐ duì yuē dìng shuō yí bú èr cóng bù chí dào
Xiao Li always honors his agreements and is never late.
Core concept
A firm promise or decision that stays unchanged and is carried through in action.
Common phrases
是个说一不二的人shì gè shuō yí bú èr de rén
be a person who keeps one's word
对约定说一不二duì yuē dìng shuō yí bú èr
honor one's agreements
Similar words
说到做到shuō dào zuò dào: Doing what was said would be done.
言出必行yán chū bì xíng: Acting on spoken words without fail once they have been given.
言而有信yán ér yǒu xìn: Showing reliability by keeping promises and honoring one's word.
Definition in Chinese
表示某人说话很坚定，一旦答应或作出决定就不改变，言行一致。biǎo shì mǒu rén shuō huà hěn jiān dìng yí dàn dā yìng huò zuò chū jué dìng jiù bù gǎi biàn yán xíng yí zhì
Word origin
说一不二 (shuōyībùèr, "say one, not two") presents a speaker whose first statement is final, so the idiom describes someone who does not retract a promise or decision.
Usage tips
- In everyday conversation, this idiom often praises a person's steady character, but it can sound too strong for a small or casual promise.
Other meanings
- back up words with actionsidiom
Opposites
- 言而无信yán ér wú xìnbreak one's wordidiom
- 言行不一yán xíng bù yīsay one thing and do anotheridiom