能说会道
néng shuō huì dào
Eloquent speaking ability · trad. 能說會道
Describes someone who is articulate, fluent, and persuasive in their speech. It suggests a natural talent for communication, making them effective at explaining or convincing others.
What does 能说会道 (néng shuō huì dào) mean?
能说会道 (néng shuō huì dào) means "eloquent speaking ability" in English. Word for word, it breaks down as "able to speak, know how to talk."
Character by character
- 能 néng able
- 说 shuō speak
- 会 huì can
- 道 dào speak
When to use it
Primarily used to commend someone's excellent communication skills, whether in conversation, public speaking, or negotiation. It can occasionally carry a slight negative connotation, implying someone is overly glib or talks too much, but this is less common.
Example
能说会道的李阿姨是一位出色的导游。
Néng shuō huì dào de lǐ āyí shì yíwèi chūsè de dǎoyóu.
Auntie Li, who is eloquent and articulate, is an excellent tour guide.
Pro tip: The idiom emphasizes the skill and effectiveness of speaking, rather than simply being talkative.
Related idioms
莫名其妙 · Inexplicable strange behavior默默无闻 · Unknown and unacclaimed迫不及待 · Extreme impatience
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