TongTong
Sign in

言外之意 (yán wài zhī yì) — implication; what is meant but not explicitly stated; the subtext or hidden meaning behind someone's words

Definition

A four-character expression for the meaning implied but not said outright — the 'subtext' or hidden message behind someone's words, often requiring the listener to read between the lines.

noun
implicationwhat is meant but not explicitly statedthe subtext or hidden meaning behind someone's words

Examples

  • 言外之意，。
    Tā de huà lǐ yǒu yán wài zhī yì, nǐ yào zǐ xì xiǎng xiǎng.
    There's an implication in his words; you need to think carefully.
  • ，言外之意。
    Tā suī rán méi míng shuō, dàn yán wài zhī yì shì ràng tā bú yào zài lái le.
    Although she didn't say it directly, the implication was that she shouldn't come again.
  • 言外之意？
    Nǐ tīng chū zhè duàn huà de yán wài zhī yì le ma?
    Did you catch the implication in this passage?

Origin

Characters in this word

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

The early form of 言 shows an opening and a mark indicating a location; the location is not described as the source of speech.

Open 言 →

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
卜卜bǔ
Sound part声符shēngfú
月
月yuè外wài
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

外 pairs 卜 with 月, a crescent moon; in its older form, the 卜 part had a horizontal bar extending outward, giving the sense of outside.

Open 外 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The shape pairs 止, a foot, with 一, a beginning place, and means to go.

Open 之 →

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Open 意 →
Appears in
Language

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.