Definition
娓娓道来 is a four-character idiom (成语) describing a way of speaking or narrating that is continuous, unhurried, and captivating. The reduplicated 娓娓 suggests smooth, flowing talk, and 道来 means 'to speak about'. You use it when someone tells a story, explains something, or describes an experience in a vivid, engaging manner — as if they are drawing the listener in. It often appears as a predicate (e.g., 他娓娓道来) and can be preceded by 地 in adverbial position.
f.e.
to narrate or speak in a livelyengagingand continuous manner
Examples
- 娓娓道来，。Zhè wèi lǎo jiàoshòu bǎ lìshǐ gùshi wěi wěi dào lái, xuéshēngmen tīng de rù le mí.The old professor narrated the historical stories so vividly that the students were spellbound.
- 娓娓道来，。Tā wěi wěi dào lái de miáoshù zhe tóngnián de qùshì, dàjiā dōu xiào de hěn kāixīn.He described his childhood anecdotes in a lively way, and everyone laughed happily.
- 娓娓道来。Zuòzhě zài shū zhōng wěi wěi dào lái le zìjǐ duō nián piāobó de jīnglì.In the book, the author unfolded the story of his many years of wandering in a captivating way.
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