言过其实

النطق: yán guò qí shí المعنى الحرفي: Words exceed the reality

الأصل والاستخدام

This idiom describes words (言) that exceed (过) the actual reality (其实). It originated from 'Records of the Three Kingdoms,' where Zhuge Liang used it to describe the strategist Ma Su, warning that his reputation exceeded his actual abilities. The phrase critiques exaggeration, boasting, or claims that don't match evidence. Modern usage describes overstated claims, exaggerated advertising, or any situation where rhetoric surpasses substance.

أمثلة

الإنجليزية: "His claims about his achievements were greatly exaggerated."

الصينية: 他对自己成就的描述言过其实。