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言归正传 (yán guī zhèng zhuàn) — to return to the topic; to get back to the point

Definition

A set phrase used to signal a return to the main topic after a digression or small talk — similar in feel to 'anyway' or 'back to the point.' It is a chengyu-like idiom, usually used in speech or informal writing, not in formal reports.

idiom
to return to the topicto get back to the point

Examples

  • ，言归正传，。
    Hǎo le, yán guī zhèng zhuàn, wǒ men jì xù tǎo lùn zhè ge wèn tí.
    Alright, let's get back to the topic and continue discussing this issue.
  • 言归正传，？
    yán guī zhèng zhuàn, Nǐ gāng cái shuō de fāng àn yǒu shén me jù tǐ xì jié?
    Getting back to the main point, what specific details does your proposal have?
  • ，言归正传，。
    Xián huà shǎo shuō, yán guī zhèng zhuàn, wǒ men dé jǐn kuài zuò chū jué dìng.
    Enough small talk, let's return to the topic — we need to make a decision as soon as possible.

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 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 歸; 归 is its simplified writing.

  • 𠂤𠂤𠂤ancient form of {{zh-l|*師|troops}}
  • 帚帚zhǒubroom; sweep

The traditional form 歸 combines 𠂤 (troops) and 帚 (broom; sweep) to show sweeping away an enemy and returning; the simplified 归 is a later abbreviation.

Open 归 →

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
止止zhǐ
Sound part声符shēngfú
丁
丁dīng正zhèng
Same sound today

正 pairs 止 with 丁; 止 marks the sense and 丁 gives the sound.

Open 正 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 傳; 传 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
人人rénman
Sound part声符shēngfú
專
專zhuān傳chuán
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 傳 puts 人 (man) beside 專, which gives the sound; the simplified 传 is a later shorthand, and its parts are not the historical ones.

Open 传 →
Appears in
Communication & SpeechIdioms & Set Phrases

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