长话短说(長話短說)
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 & character.
Also searched as: chang hua duan shuo, chang hua duan shuo,长话短说 meaning, 长话短说 in english
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.
When to Use
Situation: Rather than explaining all details, the presenter summarized the key findings
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about relationships & character
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yù sù bù dá
Haste makes waste; more haste less speed
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bù yuǎn qiān lǐ
Willingly travel far; make great efforts
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Think about constantly; yearn for
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Yearn day and night
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Be deeply reluctant to leave
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nán fēn nán shě
Be inseparable; hate to part
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海枯石烂
hǎi kū shí làn
Until the end of time; eternal love
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yī jiàn zhōng qíng
Love at first sight
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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 theRelationships & 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”.