yán guò qí shí: 言过其实 - To Exaggerate, Overstate, Overrated

• Keywords: yán guò qí shí, 言过其实, Chinese idiom for exaggeration, overstate in Chinese, overrated in Chinese, Chinese chengyu, hyperbole in Chinese, saying something is not as good as it seems, Chinese expression for empty hype.
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese idiom (chengyu) 言过其实 (yán guò qí shí), used to describe something that is exaggerated, overstated, or overrated. This page breaks down the meaning of this four-character phrase, explaining how it critiques claims that go beyond reality. Discover its cultural roots in Chinese values of modesty and practicality, and learn how to use it effectively in modern conversation with over 10 practical example sentences, making it clear when something isn't as good as it's said to be.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): yán guò qí shí
• Part of Speech: Idiom (成语, chéngyǔ)
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: To describe something in a way that exceeds its actual reality; to exaggerate or overstate.
• In a Nutshell: 言过其实 (yán guò qí shí) literally translates to “speech (言) exceeds (过) its (其) reality (实)”. It's the perfect phrase for that feeling of disappointment when you finally try a much-hyped restaurant or watch a blockbuster movie, only to find it's just… okay. It's a critique that points out a gap between the description and the truth, essentially calling something “overrated” or “not as good as it's made out to be.”

• 言 (yán): Speech, word, to say. This character depicts a mouth with a tongue sticking out, representing the act of speaking.
• 过 (guò): To pass, to cross over, to exceed. It signifies going beyond a certain limit or boundary.
• 其 (qí): Its, his, her, their. A classical pronoun that points back to the subject (in this case, the “speech”).
• 实 (shí): Real, true, actual, fact, reality. It often relates to substance and truthfulness.

When combined, the characters create a very literal and vivid image: The words (言) have gone beyond (过) its (其) actual reality (实). This structure makes the idiom's meaning transparent and easy to remember.

言过其实 (yán guò qí shí) is more than just a phrase; it's a reflection of deep-seated Chinese cultural values, particularly 谦虚 (qiānxū - modesty) and 实事求是 (shí shì qiú shì - seeking truth from facts). Chinese culture traditionally favors substance over empty rhetoric and places a high value on being down-to-earth and pragmatic. Therefore, making claims that are 言过其实 is seen as a breach of these values, suggesting a lack of sincerity or a disconnect from reality. A useful Western comparison is the concept of “hype” or the phrase “all sizzle and no steak.” However, there's a key difference. “Hype” can sometimes be neutral or even fun, associated with marketing and entertainment. 言过其实, on the other hand, carries a more serious, critical weight. While you can use it to say a movie was over-hyped, it can also be used in a formal business report to critique a competitor's claims or in an academic paper to challenge an overstated research finding. It's less about marketing buzz and more about a fundamental violation of the principle that one's words should accurately reflect reality.

This idiom is common in both written and spoken Chinese, though it carries a slightly formal and educated tone.

• Connotation: It is almost always negative or critical. The severity can range from mild disappointment (e.g., “The food was a bit overrated”) to a strong accusation of misrepresentation (e.g., “The company's promises were a gross exaggeration”).
• Formality: It's a standard idiom (chengyu), making it appropriate for formal writing (news, essays, reports) and educated conversation. In very casual slang, a simpler phrase like 吹牛 (chuīniú - to boast) or 太夸张了 (tài kuāzhāng le - that's too exaggerated) might be more common.

You will frequently encounter 言过其实 in these contexts:

• Reviews: For movies, books, restaurants, or products that don't live up to their glowing advertisements.
• News and Business: To criticize a company's financial projections, a politician's promises, or a technology's purported capabilities.
• Personal Evaluations: To describe a person whose reputation or self-assessment doesn't align with their actual skills or character.

• Example 1:
  • 很多人说那家餐厅是本市最好的，但我吃过之后觉得有点言过其实。
  • Pinyin: Hěn duō rén shuō nà jiā cāntīng shì běn shì zuì hǎo de, dàn wǒ chī guò zhīhòu juéde yǒudiǎn yán guò qí shí.
  • English: A lot of people say that restaurant is the best in the city, but after eating there, I felt it was a bit overrated.
  • Analysis: This is a very common and gentle use of the term, expressing personal disappointment about a hyped-up experience.
• Example 2:
  • 这部电影的宣传片非常吸引人，可惜实际内容有些言过其实。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bù diànyǐng de xuānchuánpiàn fēicháng xīyǐnrén, kěxī shíjì nèiróng yǒuxiē yán guò qí shí.
  • English: The trailer for this movie was very appealing, but unfortunately, the actual content was somewhat exaggerated.
  • Analysis: Here, it's used to contrast the marketing (宣传) with the reality (实际内容).
• Example 3:
  • 他在简历里说自己精通三种语言，面试后我们发现言过其实了。
  • Pinyin: Tā zài jiǎnlì lǐ shuō zìjǐ jīngtōng sān zhǒng yǔyán, miànshì hòu wǒmen fāxiàn yán guò qí shí le.
  • English: He said in his resume that he was fluent in three languages, but after the interview, we discovered that was an overstatement.
  • Analysis: This shows a more serious context, where the exaggeration has real-world consequences in a professional setting.
• Example 4:
  • 这个产品的广告说它能解决所有皮肤问题，这简直是言过其实。
  • Pinyin: Zhège chǎnpǐn de guǎnggào shuō tā néng jiějué suǒyǒu pífū wèntí, zhè jiǎnzhí shì yán guò qí shí.
  • English: This product's advertisement claims it can solve all skin problems, which is simply a gross exaggeration.
  • Analysis: The adverbs 简直是 (jiǎnzhí shì - simply is) strengthen the tone, making it a strong accusation of false advertising.
• Example 5:
  • 媒体对这次事件影响的报道似乎言过其实，实际情况并没有那么严重。
  • Pinyin: Méitǐ duì zhè cì shìjiàn yǐngxiǎng de bàodào sìhū yán guò qí shí, shíjì qíngkuàng bìng méiyǒu nàme yánzhòng.
  • English: The media reports on the impact of this incident seem to be exaggerated; the actual situation is not that serious.
  • Analysis: A formal and objective use, common in news analysis or official statements to correct misinformation.
• Example 6:
  • 对于这些“一夜暴富”的投资项目，我们必须警惕其言过其实的宣传。
  • Pinyin: Duìyú zhèxiē “yī yè bàofù” de tóuzī xiàngmù, wǒmen bìxū jǐngtì qí yán guò qí shí de xuānchuán.
  • English: Regarding these “get rich overnight” investment projects, we must be wary of their exaggerated promotions.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates its use as an adjective modifying a noun (宣传 - promotion/propaganda).
• Example 7:
  • 有些历史学家认为，对这位皇帝功绩的描述存在言过其实的成分。
  • Pinyin: Yǒuxiē lìshǐxuéjiā rènwéi, duì zhè wèi huángdì gōngjì de miáoshù cúnzài yán guò qí shí de chéngfèn.
  • English: Some historians believe that the description of this emperor's achievements contains elements of exaggeration.
  • Analysis: A very academic and nuanced usage, suggesting that part of the description is overstated, not the whole thing.
• Example 8:
  • 我不想言过其实，但这个新软件确实能大大提高我们的工作效率。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ bù xiǎng yán guò qí shí, dàn zhège xīn ruǎnjiàn quèshí néng dàdà tígāo wǒmen de gōngzuò xiàolǜ.
  • English: I don't want to overstate it, but this new software really can significantly improve our work efficiency.
  • Analysis: This is a clever rhetorical use. By stating you don't want to exaggerate, you add more credibility to the positive statement that follows.
• Example 9:
  • 他的能力是有的，但他的支持者对他的评价有点言过其实。
  • Pinyin: Tā de nénglì shì yǒu de, dàn tā de zhīchízhě duì tā de píngjià yǒudiǎn yán guò qí shí.
  • English: He has ability, but his supporters' evaluation of him is a bit of an overstatement.
  • Analysis: A balanced critique that acknowledges some truth while still pointing out the exaggeration.
• Example 10:
  • 这份报告的数据分析言过其实，忽略了许多潜在的风险。
  • Pinyin: Zhè fèn bàogào de shùjù fēnxī yán guò qí shí, hūlüè le xǔduō qiánzài de fēngxiǎn.
  • English: The data analysis in this report is overstated and ignores many potential risks.
  • Analysis: A direct and serious criticism in a professional context, pointing out a flaw in a formal document.

• Exaggeration vs. Lying: Be careful not to confuse 言过其实 with outright lying. 言过其实 implies there is a basis in reality that has been stretched or embellished. For example, calling a good phone “the most revolutionary device in human history” is 言过其实. A complete lie, or 说谎 (shuōhuǎng), would be claiming a broken phone works perfectly.
• Formality Level: While you can use it in speech, remember it's more formal than its English equivalents like “overrated” or “hyped up.” Using it to describe a friend's slightly exaggerated story might make you sound overly serious or even pretentious. In that case, a simple 太夸张了 (tài kuāzhāng le) is better.
• False Friend: “Hyperbole”. In English, “hyperbole” is often a neutral term for a figure of speech used for effect (“I've told you a million times!”). 言过其实 is not a literary device; it's a criticism of a statement that was presented as fact but turned out to be an exaggeration.

• 名不副实 (míng bù fù shí): “The name does not match the reality.” A very close synonym of 言过其实, focusing on a reputation or title that is undeserved.
• 名副其实 (míng fù qí shí): “The name matches the reality.” The direct antonym, used to describe something that truly lives up to its reputation.
• 夸大 (kuādà): To exaggerate. This is a common verb, more direct and less idiomatic than 言过其实. You can say someone's speech 夸大了 (kuādà le) the facts.
• 吹牛 (chuīniú): To brag, boast, “blow the cow”. A very informal and colloquial term, often used when someone is exaggerating their own abilities or experiences.
• 华而不实 (huá ér bù shí): “Flashy but not substantial.” Describes something that looks impressive on the surface but lacks real utility or value.
• 实事求是 (shí shì qiú shì): “To seek truth from facts.” A famous phrase that embodies the pragmatic and realistic worldview that stands in direct opposition to being 言过其实.
• 纸上谈兵 (zhǐ shàng tán bīng): “Discussing military strategy on paper.” Refers to theoretical plans that are divorced from reality and impractical in a real situation.