夸夸其谈
夸夸其谈 (kuā kuā qí tán) literally means “talk big and empty” and expresses “all talk no substance”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: kua kua qi tan, kua kua qi tan,夸夸其谈 meaning, 夸夸其谈 in english
All talk no substance
Pronunciation: kuā kuā qí tán
Literal meaning: Talk big and empty
Origin & Usage
This critical idiom emerged during the Warring States period when advisors would boast (夸) excessively (夸) in their (其) speeches (谈). Historical accounts describe how certain ministers would make grand promises but deliver little results. The repetition of '夸' emphasizes the emptiness of such speech. The phrase gained renewed relevance during the Ming Dynasty when scholar-officials criticized the trend of style over substance in examination essays. Today, it's often used to describe corporate jargon, political rhetoric, or any discourse that favors grandiose expression over meaningful content.
Examples
English: "The consultant made grand promises but delivered little results"
Chinese: 这位顾问说得天花乱坠，但几乎没有实际成果
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 夸夸其谈 mean in English?
夸夸其谈 (kuā kuā qí tán) literally translates to “Talk big and empty” and is used to express “All talk no substance”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 夸夸其谈 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving all talk no substance.
What is the pinyin for 夸夸其谈?
The pinyin pronunciation for 夸夸其谈 is “kuā kuā qí tán”.