Definition
This is a colloquial fixed expression meaning 'close to the mark' or 'about right'. The literal imagery is 'eight or nine not far from ten' — it describes something that's nearly correct, almost certain, or highly likely. It's commonly used after 猜 (to guess) or 估计 (to estimate).
f.e.
(colloquial) very close (to the truth)about rightmore or less correct
Examples
- 八九不离十，。Wǒ cāi le ge bā jiǔ bù lí shí, méi xiǎngdào zhēn de duì le.I guessed pretty close; I didn't think it would actually be right.
- 八九不离十。Zhè jiàn shì wǒ yǐjīng cāi de bā jiǔ bù lí shí le.I've already figured this matter out with close accuracy.
- 八九不离十，。Tā de yùcè měi cì dōu bā jiǔ bù lí shí, zhēn lìhai.His predictions are always spot on; he's amazing.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.