言过其实 — “To exaggerate”
言过其实 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to exaggerate”. To overstate the facts; to talk big or boast about one's abilities beyond what is true or achievable. Literally, “words exceed reality”.
言过其实 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- 言yán
- 过guò
- 其qí
- 实shí
言过其实 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 言过其实
Origin and Story of 言过其实
During the Three Kingdoms period, Ma Su, a general of the Shu Han kingdom, enjoyed discussing military theories, and Zhuge Liang appreciated his intelligence to some extent. However, Liu Bei believed that Ma Su's words exceeded his actual abilities ("言过其实") and that he should not be entrusted with critical tasks.
Later, when Sima Yi of the Wei kingdom personally led his troops along with Zhang He to attack Jieting, a strategic pass of Shu Han, Zhuge Liang dispatched Ma Su to defend it.
Ma Su, however, was arrogant and underestimated the enemy, rigidly adhering to military texts without adapting to the real situation, and consequently suffered a devastating defeat.
Zhuge Liang, with tears in his eyes, had no choice but to execute Ma Su for his failure.
Idioms Related to 言过其实
Synonyms of 言过其实
More idioms starting with 言
- yán言sān三yǔ语sì四chatter away
- yán言bù不èr二jià价fixed price, no bargaining
- yán言bù不jí及yì义talk about trivial matters
- yán言bù不jí及sī私speech not involving private matters
- yán言bù不jí及xíng行all talk and no action
- yán言bù不jìn尽yì意Words cannot fully express meaning
- yán言bù不yuàn愿xíng行words and actions do not match
- yán言bù不yóu由zhōng中speak insincerely
- yán言bù不yóu由zhōng衷speak insincerely
- yán言bù不guǐ诡suí随speak without deceit or opportunism
- yán言bù不ān谙diǎn典speak without classical allusions
- yán言bù不jiàn践xíng行fail to act on one's words
Questions about 言过其实
- What does 言过其实 mean?
- 言过其实 (yán guò qí shí) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to exaggerate”.
- How do you pronounce 言过其实?
- 言过其实 is pronounced yán guò qí shí in Mandarin Chinese.
- What does 言过其实 literally mean?
- Literally, 言过其实 means “words exceed reality”. It is used to mean “to exaggerate”.
- Where does 言过其实 come from?
- 言过其实 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
- What is the Chinese definition of 言过其实?
- 实：实际。原指言语浮夸，超过实际才能。后也指话说得过分，超过了实际情况。