每天成语
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无话可说

*The explanations on this page are generated by AI. Please note that they may contain inaccurate information.

1. Basic Information

  • Pinyin: wú huà kě shuō
  • English Translation: To have nothing to say (speechless / at a loss for words)
  • Idiom Composition: 「无」（Not have; without）＋「话」（Words; speech）＋「可」（Can; able to）＋「说」（To say; to speak）
  • Meaning: Literally meaning 'to have no words that can be said,' this idiom describes a state of being speechless. It is used when one cannot find a rebuttal because the facts are undeniable, or when one is so appalled or disappointed by someone's behavior that they feel further conversation is useless.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「无话可说」 contains the following nuances:

  • Logical Defeat: Being confronted with facts or evidence that leave no room for rebuttal, essentially having no leg to stand on.
  • Emotional Resignation: Feeling that the other person's attitude or the situation is so unreasonable that further talk is a waste of time, leading to a voluntary withdrawal from the conversation.
  • Lack of Common Ground: A neutral but awkward situation where there is no common topic for conversation, resulting in an uncomfortable silence.

3. Usage

「无话可说」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

  • Appallment and Disappointment: Used to convey the feeling of 'I don't even want to talk about it' in response to someone's unreasonable behavior or incomprehensible remarks.
    • Example:「他对这种明显的错误还要强词夺理，我真是无话可说。」
      （I am truly at a loss for words that he would still try to use twisted logic after making such an obvious mistake.）
  • Acceptance of Facts: Used when evidence is so overwhelming that there is no room for excuses, or when a fact is so clear that no comment is necessary.
    • Example:「面对确凿的证据，嫌疑人只能低下头，无话可说。」
      （Faced with undeniable evidence, the suspect could only lower his head, having nothing to say in his defense.）
  • Strained Relationships: Describes a situation in a marriage or friendship where the emotional connection has faded, leaving the parties with nothing left to discuss.
    • Example:「曾经无话不谈的朋友，现在坐在一起却变得无话可说。」
      （Friends who once shared everything now find they have nothing to say to each other when they sit together.）

Additional Examples:

  1. 既然你已经决定了，那我也无话可说。
    （Since you have already decided, I have nothing more to say.）
  2. 看到这种混乱的场面，大家都惊讶得无话可说。
    （Seeing such a chaotic scene, everyone was so shocked they were speechless.）
  3. 对于这种不负责任的行为，除了谴责，我们无话可说。
    （For such irresponsible behavior, we have nothing to say except to condemn it.）
  4. 虽然心里委屈，但他知道解释也没用，只能无话可说。
    （Although he felt wronged, he knew explaining was useless and could only remain silent.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

  • Frequency and Tone: This is a very common expression in both spoken and written Chinese. Its tone is highly dependent on context, ranging from total agreement (no objections) to total rejection (being too appalled to speak).
  • Contrast in Relationships: It is often used in contrast with the idiom 无话不谈 (wú huà bù tán), which means 'to talk about everything' or 'to have no secrets.' Using these together highlights a shift from intimacy to estrangement.
  • Modern Nuance: In modern digital contexts, it is similar to the term 无语 (wú yǔ), which is used to express being 'speechless' or 'face-palming' at someone's absurdity.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

6. Summary

无话可说 (wú huà kě shuō) is a versatile idiom used to express being at a loss for words. Depending on the context, it can convey a sense of defeat (unable to argue back), extreme disappointment (being so appalled that words fail), or a breakdown in a relationship where there is no longer anything to discuss. It often carries a negative or resigned emotional undertone.

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