📖 Meaning
This idiom literally means 'to say a thousand things and mention ten thousand.' It describes talking at great length or enumerating countless reasons, excuses, or arguments. The phrase emphasizes the abundance and variety of what is said, often implying that despite all the words, the core point remains unchanged.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom does not have a specific classical literary origin and is considered a folk or colloquial expression. It uses the numbers 'thousand' and 'ten thousand' as hyperbole to emphasize the sheer volume of words spoken. A common variant form is '说一千道一万' (saying one thousand and mentioning ten thousand). The expression reflects a traditional Chinese rhetorical pattern of employing large numbers to convey abundance or excess.
💡 Example Usage
说千道万，关键还是看实际行动。
Say all you want, but in the end, what matters is actual action.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 说千道万
- Pinyin: shuō qiān dào wàn
- Literal Translation: say, thousand, speak, ten thousand
- Category: Communication
- Characters: 4