三言两语 - Chinese Idiom

Collocation

1

三言两语也就够了

2

用不了三言两语

3

用三言两语说清楚

4

三言两语就说清楚了

Definition

三言两语

Literally means:

in two words or three

Actually means:

It means a few words. Figuratively it means one's speech is short and concise. It indicates that a few words is enough or that one is unwilling to say more.

两三句话。形容讲话简短。多指几句话就管用了，或不愿意多说话，用几句话就把人打发掉。

Example

Used as adverbial adjunct, subject or object. (作状语、主语、宾语)

1

Kāishǐ

开始

tā

她

bùkěn

不肯

qù

去

cānjiā

参加

xuéxiào

学校

de

的

wǔhuì

舞会

,

xuéshenghuì

学生会

zhǔxí

主席

sānyánliǎngyǔ

三言两语

jiù

就

bǎ

把

tā

她

shuōfú

说服

le

了

。

At first she refused to go to the school dance, and the president of the student union persuaded her in three words.

2

Jìzhě

记者

cǎifǎng

采访

shí

时

,

tā

他

yàome

要么

yī

一

gōu

句

yě

也

bù

不

shuō

说

,

yàome

要么

sānyánliǎngyǔ

三言两语

jiù

就

wán

完

le

了

。

When the reporter interviewed him, he either didn't say a word, or he finished in two words.

3

Zhè

这

jiàn

件

shìqing

事情

zhème

这么

fùzá

复杂

,

zěnme

怎么

néng

能

yòng

用

sānyánliǎngyǔ

三言两语

jiǎng

讲

qīngchu

清楚

?

How can this matter be made clear in three words and two words when it is so complicated?