信口开河
信口开河 (xìn kǒu kāi hé) literally means “trust mouth open river” and expresses “talk irresponsibly; make things up”. 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: xin kou kai he, xin kou kai he,信口开河 meaning, 信口开河 in english
Talk irresponsibly; make things up
Pronunciation: xìn kǒu kāi hé
Literal meaning: Trust mouth open river
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes opening (开) a river (河) from one's trusted mouth (信口) - letting words flow freely without verification or thought. The image of a mouth releasing a torrent of water captures uncontrolled speech. The phrase appeared in Yuan Dynasty drama criticizing careless speakers. It warns against speaking without thinking or making claims without evidence. Modern usage criticizes those who speak irresponsibly, make unfounded statements, or exaggerate without regard for truth.
Examples
English: "He tends to make things up without any evidence."
Chinese: 他经常信口开河，没有任何依据。
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 信口开河 mean in English?
信口开河 (xìn kǒu kāi hé) literally translates to “Trust mouth open river” and is used to express “Talk irresponsibly; make things up”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 信口开河 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving talk irresponsibly; make things up.
What is the pinyin for 信口开河?
The pinyin pronunciation for 信口开河 is “xìn kǒu kāi hé”.