滔滔不绝
滔滔不绝 (tāo tāo bù jué) literally means “surging waves never ceasing” and expresses “talk endlessly; speak at great length”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships and character. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: tao tao bu jue, tao tao bu jue,滔滔不绝 meaning, 滔滔不绝 in english
Talk endlessly; speak at great length
Pronunciation: tāo tāo bù jué
Literal meaning: Surging waves never ceasing
Origin & Usage
This idiom uses the image of surging (滔滔) waves that never (不) cease (绝) to describe continuous, flowing speech. The reduplicated 'taotao' evokes the sound and rhythm of rushing water. The phrase appeared in classical texts describing eloquent orators whose words flowed like rivers. While it can praise eloquence, it often carries connotations of excessive talkativeness or inability to stop speaking. Modern usage describes someone who talks at length, either admiringly for skilled speakers or critically for those who dominate conversations.
Examples
English: "Once he started talking about his hobby, he went on endlessly."
Chinese: 一旦开始谈论他的爱好，他就滔滔不绝。
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 滔滔不绝 mean in English?
滔滔不绝 (tāo tāo bù jué) literally translates to “Surging waves never ceasing” and is used to express “Talk endlessly; speak at great length”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 滔滔不绝 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving talk endlessly; speak at great length.
What is the pinyin for 滔滔不绝?
The pinyin pronunciation for 滔滔不绝 is “tāo tāo bù jué”.