Definition
妙不可言 is a four-character idiom (成语) meaning 'so wonderful or ingenious that words cannot describe it'. It literally says 'marvelous to the point of being unspeakable'. You can use it sincerely for something genuinely breathtaking, but also sarcastically for something so absurd or ridiculous there are no words for it — the tone depends entirely on context.
f.e.
indescribably wonderfultoo good for words(can be used sarcastically) so ridiculous or absurd that words fail
Examples
- 妙不可言。Huáng Shān de fēngjǐng zhēn shì miào bú.The scenery of Mount Huang is truly indescribably beautiful.
- 妙不可言。Tā yǎnzòu de zhè shǒu qǔzi jiǎnzhí miào bú.The piece he played was simply indescribably wonderful.
- ？妙不可言！Nǐ huā yí wàn kuài mǎi le zhège pò huāpíng? Zhēn shì miào bú a!You spent ten thousand yuan on this broken vase? Unbelievable (sarcastically)!
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