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只字不提 (zhī zì bù tí) — to not say a single word (about something); to avoid mentioning a topic entirely

Definition

A set phrase meaning 'not say a single word about' something — emphasizes complete silence on a topic, stronger than simply 没说. Often used when someone deliberately avoids mentioning an issue.

idiom
to not say a single word (about something)to avoid mentioning a topic entirely

Examples

  • 只字不提。
    Tā duì zhè jiàn shì zhī zì bù tí.
    He didn't say a single word about this matter.
  • ，只字不提。
    Jì zhě wèn le wǔ cì, tā què zhī zì bù tí.
    The reporter asked five times, but he didn't say a word.
  • ，只字不提。
    Zài cǎi fǎng zhōng, tā duì yú zì jǐ de guò qù zhī zì bù tí.
    In the interview, he avoided mentioning his own past entirely.

Origin

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

只 shows air coming out of a mouth, for a word used in speech.

Open 只 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
宀宀miánroof
Sound part声符shēngfú
子
子zǐ字zì
Same sound today

字 pairs 宀 (roof) with 子 (child); 子 gives the sound, while 宀 relates to the meaning.

Open 字 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The picture in 不 originally showed a flower’s calyx; the “no” sense came later from a related character, not from this picture.

Open 不 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
扌Written in full as手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
是
是shì提tí
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

提 shows 扌 (hand) beside 是, which gives the pronunciation.

Open 提 →
Appears in
Communication & SpeechIdioms & Set Phrases

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