言过其实 (yán guō) — to exaggerate, to overstate; to go beyond the truth (of a statement)
Definition
Literally 'words exceed the reality': describes a statement that overstates the facts. Often used to gently call out exaggeration, as in 你言过实了.
idiom
to exaggerateto overstateto go beyond the truth (of a statement)
Examples
- 言过其实，。Nǐ yán guō le, zhè ge rèn wu méi nà me nán.You're exaggerating — this task isn't that hard.
- 言过其实，。Tā shuō huà zǒng shì yán guō, bié quán xìn.He always exaggerates when he talks — don't believe everything.
- 言过其实，。Suī rán yǒu xiē yán guō, dàn tā de guān diǎn zhí dé sī kǎo.Although it's a bit of an overstatement, his point is worth considering.
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