长话短说
长话短说 (cháng huà duǎn shuō) literally means “long story briefly tell” and expresses “make a long story short”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships and character.
Also searched as: chang hua duan shuo, chang hua duan shuo,长话短说 meaning, 长话短说 in english
Make a long story short
Pronunciation: cháng huà duǎn shuō Literal meaning: Long story briefly tell
Origin & Usage
Yuan Dynasty theater introduced this narrative technique of telling long stories (长话) in brief form (短说). Stage directors used it to help performers compress complex plots into efficient introductions. Ming Dynasty conversational adoption transformed it into a verbal signal preparing listeners for a condensed account. The explicit acknowledgment of compression creates a clear contract with the audience about prioritizing efficiency over detail.
Examples
English: "Rather than explaining all details, the presenter summarized the key findings"
Chinese: 演讲者没有解释所有细节，而是总结了关键发现
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about relationships & character
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一模一样
yī mú yī yàng
Exactly identical
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以心换心
yǐ xīn huàn xīn
Treat others as yourself
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海纳百川
hǎi nà bǎi chuān
Accept all with open mind
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以和为贵
yǐ hé wéi guì
Value harmony above all
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同舟共济
tóng zhōu gòng jì
Face challenges together
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风雨同舟
fēng yǔ tóng zhōu
Share hardships together
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春风化雨
chūn fēng huà yǔ
Gentle, nurturing influence
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 长话短说 mean in English?
长话短说 (cháng huà duǎn shuō) literally translates to “Long story briefly tell” and is used to express “Make a long story short”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 长话短说 used?
Situation: Rather than explaining all details, the presenter summarized the key findings
What is the pinyin for 长话短说?
The pinyin pronunciation for 长话短说 is “cháng huà duǎn shuō”.