夸大其辞 (kuā dà qí cí) — to exaggerate; to overstate; to make an exaggerated statement

Definition

A fixed expression meaning to overstate or embellish facts beyond their truth — stronger than 夸张, which just describes exaggeration as a style. Implies intentional distortion, often in speech or writing.

verb
to exaggerateto overstateto make an exaggerated statement
Easily confused

Examples

  • 夸大其辞，。
    Tā shuō huà zǒng shì xǐ huan kuā dà qí cí, bié tài dàng zhēn.
    He always likes to exaggerate when he talks; don't take it too seriously.
  • 夸大其辞，。
    Zhè piān bào dào kuā dà qí cí, bǎ xiǎo shì shuō chéng le dà shì.
    This report exaggerates, making a small matter into a big one.
  • 夸大其辞，。
    Nǐ bú yào kuā dà qí cí, shí shì qiú shì dì shuō.
    Don't exaggerate; speak based on facts.

Origin

Characters in this word

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
大大dàman
Sound part声符shēngfú
于
于yú夸kuā
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

夸 is built from 大, a standing man, above 于, which gives the sound.

Open 夸 →

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

The form 大 is a picture of a person standing and facing forward, not of someone stretching their arms.

Open 大 →

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

The modern form 其 comes from an early drawing of a basket, with a stand added underneath.

Open 其 →

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Open 辞 →

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