📖 Meaning
To talk too much and spread false or misleading words. It describes someone who is garrulous and prone to speaking nonsense or making unfounded claims. The idiom conveys disapproval of excessive, irresponsible talk.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from 'Xuanhe Yishi' (Tales of the Xuanhe Era), a work recounting events from the late Northern Song dynasty during the reign of Emperor Huizong. In the story, a character mentions that there are people in the household who spread irresponsible rumors and speak falsely, urging that the matter be reported to the authorities to avoid implicating the family. The expression came to denote those who talk recklessly and spread misinformation.
💡 Example Usage
他成天课语讹言，弄得邻里之间矛盾不断。
He talks nonsense all day long, causing endless conflicts among the neighbors.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 课语讹言
- Pinyin: kè yǔ é yán
- Literal Translation: to lecture, words, erroneous, speech
- Category: Communication
- Characters: 4