Definition
心照不宣 is a four-character idiom (成语) meaning that two or more people understand each other perfectly without needing to say anything out loud. Literally 'heart shines but does not proclaim,' it describes unspoken mutual understanding—often in situations where speaking would be awkward or unnecessary. Use it when both parties already know what the other is thinking.
idiom
have a tacit understandingmutual awareness without words
Examples
- ，心照不宣。Tāmen liǎ duìshì yí xiào, xīn zhào bù xuān.The two of them exchanged a smile, understanding each other without words.
- 心照不宣。Wǒmen zhījiān yǒu yì zhǒng xīn zhào bù xuān de mòqì.There is a kind of unspoken understanding between us.
- 心照不宣，。Zhè jiàn shì dàjiā xīn zhào bù xuān jiù hǎo, bié tiǎo míng le shuō.On this matter, let's all just have a tacit understanding and not make it explicit.
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