三言两语 (sān yán liǎng yǔ) — in a few words; briefly; succinctly

Definition

A chengyu meaning 'in just a few words', emphasizing that something (often an explanation or resolution) is done very briefly and succinctly.

idiom
in a few wordsbrieflysuccinctly

Examples

  • 三言两语。
    Tā sān yán liǎng yǔ jiù bǎ shì qing shuō qīng chǔ le.
    He explained the matter clearly in just a few words.
  • 三言两语。
    Zhè ge wèn tí bú shì sān yán liǎng yǔ néng jiǎng míng bai de.
    This problem cannot be explained clearly in just a few words.
  • 三言两语。
    Tā sān yán liǎng yǔ jiù huà jiě le shuāng fāng de wù huì.
    She resolved the misunderstanding between the two sides with just a few words.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

三言three words
三sānthree言yánwords
偏正Modifier + head
两语two phrases
两liǎngtwo语yǔphrases
偏正Modifier + head

三言 'three words' and 两语 'two phrases' together suggest only a few words.

Characters in this word

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

三 is drawn as three parallel strokes, like 一 with one stroke and 二 with two.

Open 三 →

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 兩; 两 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 兩 is described as combining 一 and 㒳. The simplified 两 is a later abbreviation.

Open 两 →

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 語; 语 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yán
Sound part声符shēngfú
吾
吾wú語yǔ
Same sound today

The form 語 pairs 言 (speech) with 吾, which gives the sound; this note is about 語, not 语.

Open 语 →

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