yán言wordsjiǎn简briefyì意meaninggāi赅complete
Brief in words, complete in meaning — concise.
Literal meaning
words (言) — brief (简) — meaning (意) — complete (赅)
Origin
A late-imperial four-character phrase compressing the ideal of classical Chinese style: minimum words, maximum meaning. Used in writing criticism, editing, and praise of good speakers.
Examples
Tā他jiǎng讲huà话yán言jiǎn简yì意gāi赅。
He speaks concisely.
Hǎo好de的wén文zhāng章yào要yán言jiǎn简yì意gāi赅。
Good writing is concise and complete.
Usage & nuances
Praise of conciseness — common in editorial and rhetoric contexts.
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