弦外之音
xián wài zhī yīn
the meaning between the lines
Character by character
弦xián
strings
strings
外wài
beyond
beyond
之zhī
of
of
音yīn
the sound
the sound
Example
他虽然没有明说，但我听出了他的弦外之音。
He did not say it outright, but I caught what he meant between the lines.
Tone: neutral.
Learn this in Lesson 213 · HSK 9+: 弦外之音 (What is left unsaid)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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