异口同声

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: yì kǒu tóng shēng
• English Translation: To speak with one voice; to say the same thing in unison
• Idiom Composition: 「异」（Different）＋「口」（Mouth）＋「同」（Same）＋「声」（Voice）
• Meaning: Different people speak the same words as if they had agreed beforehand. It describes many people expressing the same opinion in unison.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「异口同声」 contains the following nuances:

• Agreement of opinion: Emphasizes that multiple people, each from independent positions, share the same opinion.
• Simultaneity: Sometimes describes multiple people speaking the same words almost simultaneously.
• Emphasis: Suggests not only agreement but a very clear and strong impression of unity.

3. Usage

「异口同声」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Expressing opinions: Used when multiple people express the same opinion in meetings or discussions.
  • Example:「在会议上，大家对这个提案异口同声地表示支持。」
    （At the meeting, everyone spoke with one voice in support of the proposal.）
• Unified reaction: Describes multiple people showing the same reaction to an event.
  • Example:「面对不公正的待遇，工人们异口同声地要求改善工作条件。」
    （Facing unfair treatment, the workers raised their voices together to demand better working conditions.）
• Describing situations: Used to describe a situation where many people share the same opinion.
  • Example:「对于这个新政策，社区居民异口同声地表示反对。」
    （Regarding the new policy, the community residents voiced their opposition in unison.）

Additional Examples:

1. 在讨论会上，所有专家异口同声地认为这个方案可行。
   （At the discussion, all experts agreed unanimously that the plan was feasible.）
2. 面对灾难，全国人民异口同声地为受灾地区祈福。
   （Facing the disaster, the entire nation prayed together for the affected areas.）
3. 听到这个好消息，大家异口同声地欢呼起来。
   （Upon hearing the good news, everyone cheered in unison.）
4. 当老师问谁想参加比赛时，同学们异口同声地喊道：“我！”
   （When the teacher asked who wanted to join the competition, the students shouted together, 'Me!'）
5. 尽管来自不同的地方，他们对这个问题的看法却异口同声。
   （Although from different places, they shared the same opinion on this issue.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Collectivism: In Chinese culture, group harmony and consensus are often emphasized. The idiom '异口同声' reflects this cultural background.
• Conformity pressure: '异口同声' does not always indicate voluntary agreement. Sometimes it may reflect social pressure that suppresses individual opinions.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 众口一词 (zhòng kǒu yì cí): Many people say the same thing.
  • 不约而同 (bù yuē ér tóng): Actions or opinions coincide without prior agreement.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 各执一词 (gè zhí yì cí): Each person insists on their own opinion without yielding.
  • 众说纷纭 (zhòng shuō fēn yún): Diverse opinions arise and no consensus is reached.

6. Summary

'异口同声' is a powerful idiom that vividly expresses many people sharing the same opinion. In Chinese, group harmony and consensus are highly valued, so this idiom is frequently used in daily conversation and writing. However, it is important to understand the context, as it may also imply negative aspects such as conformity pressure.