无可奉告

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: wú kě fèng gào
• English Translation: No comment (Nothing to disclose)
• Idiom Composition: 「无」（No; none; without）＋「可」（Can; may; able to）＋「奉告」（To respectfully inform or report (a formal term for telling someone something)）
• Meaning: A formal expression used to tell someone that there is 'nothing that can be respectfully told.' While the wording is polite, it is actually a cold, official way to refuse to answer questions or provide information.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「无可奉告」 contains the following nuances:

• Polite but Cold Refusal: Although it uses the respectful term 奉告 (fèng gào), this is more of a 'diplomatic courtesy' that carries a dismissive or aloof nuance rather than genuine respect for the listener.
• Intentional Information Block: The phrase implies 'I may know the answer, but I have no intention (or authority) to tell you,' rather than simply not knowing the information.

3. Usage

「无可奉告」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Press Conferences & Interviews: A standard phrase used by politicians, spokespeople, or celebrities when asked inconvenient questions or about information that cannot yet be released.
  • Example:「关于并购的具体细节，目前我们无可奉告。」
    （Regarding the specific details of the merger and acquisition, we have no comment at this time.）
• Confidentiality: Used when there is a legitimate reason to refuse to answer, such as protecting business secrets or personal privacy.
  • Example:「这是客户的隐私，我无可奉告。」
    （This involves client privacy, so I have nothing to disclose.）
• Conflict & Rejection: Used in personal arguments to show a strong will to shut down communication with the other person.
  • Example:「这是我的私事，对你无可奉告！」
    （This is my private business; I have nothing to say to you!）

Additional Examples:

1. 面对记者的追问，他只是冷冷地回了一句“无可奉告”。
   （Faced with the reporter's persistent questioning, he only coldly replied, 'No comment.'）
2. 警方表示案件正在调查中，暂时无可奉告。
   （The police stated that the case is under investigation and there is nothing to report at the moment.）
3. 至于他为什么辞职，我也无可奉告。
   （As for why he resigned, I also have nothing to tell you.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Diplomatic and Official Tone: By using the highly formal term 奉告 (fèng gào), the speaker emphasizes that they are speaking from an official or professional standpoint. Using this with close friends would sound sarcastic or intentionally distant.
• Media and Legal Contexts: This phrase is a staple in crime dramas and legal thrillers, frequently used by police officers, lawyers, or spokespeople to brush off aggressive media inquiries.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 无话可说 (wú huà kě shuō): To have nothing to say; often used when one is speechless due to shock or when there is truly nothing left to discuss.link
  • 守口如瓶 (shǒu kǒu rú píng): To keep one's mouth shut like a bottle; to be tight-lipped and keep secrets well.
  • 秘而不宣 (mì ér bù xuān): To keep something secret and not reveal it.link
  • 一言不发 (yī yán bù fā): Not saying a single word.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 知无不言 (zhī wú bù yán): To say everything one knows without reservation.
  • 和盘托出 (hé pán tuō chū): To reveal everything; to tell the whole story without hiding anything.
  • 畅所欲言 (chàng suǒ yù yán): To speak one's mind freely and without reservation.link
  • 开门见山 (kāi mén jiàn shān): To get straight to the point without beating around the bush.link

6. Summary

The idiom 无可奉告 (wú kě fèng gào) is the Chinese equivalent of the English phrase 'No comment.' It is a stiff, formal refusal often used in official or public contexts. While the term 奉告 (fèng gào) literally means 'to respectfully inform,' using it in this phrase creates a sense of 'polite distance' or even coldness. In daily conversation, using this phrase can make you sound extremely aloof or dismissive.