Definition
言过其实 is a four-character idiom (成语) meaning 'to exaggerate' or 'to overstate the truth'. The literal meaning is 'words exceed the reality' — you use it when someone's description goes beyond what is actually true. It's a set phrase, so you don't change the characters or word order. Common in both spoken and written Chinese to call out an overstatement politely.
f.e.
to exaggerateto overstateto go beyond the truth (of a statement)
Examples
- 言过其实，。Nǐ yán guō le, zhège rènwu méi nàme nán.You're exaggerating — this task isn't that hard.
- 言过其实，。Tā shuōhuà zǒngshì yán guō, bié quán xìn.He always exaggerates when he talks — don't believe everything.
- 言过其实，。Suīrán yǒuxiē yán guō, dàn tā de guāndiǎn zhídé sīkǎo.Although it's a bit of an overstatement, his point is worth considering.
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