妙不可言 (miào bú) — indescribably wonderful, too good for words; (can be used sarcastically) so ridiculous or absurd that words fail
Definition
Literally 'too wonderful for words' — used for genuine praise, but in a sarcastic tone it can mock something as absurdly bad. Register is formal/written.
idiom
indescribably wonderfultoo good for words(can be used sarcastically) so ridiculous or absurd that words fail
Examples
- 妙不可言。Huáng shān de fēng jǐng zhēn shì miào bú.The scenery of Mount Huang is truly indescribably beautiful.
- 妙不可言。Tā yǎn zòu de zhè shǒu qǔ zi jiǎn zhí miào bú.The piece he played was simply indescribably wonderful.
- ？妙不可言！Nǐ huā yí wàn kuài mǎi le zhè ge pò huā píng? zhēn shì miào bú a!You spent ten thousand yuan on this broken vase? Unbelievable (sarcastically)!
Appears in
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.