Definition
潜台词 literally means 'hidden stage words' (from drama), but it's widely used in everyday Chinese to refer to the subtext or unspoken meaning behind what someone says. You can use it whenever there's an implied message: a speaker or writer's real intention that isn't stated directly. It's a useful term for discussing indirect communication.
n.
subtextimplied meaningunexpressed thoughts or intentions
Examples
- 潜台词。Tā zǒngshì tīng bù chū biérén huà lǐ de qián tái cí.He always fails to pick up on the subtext in other people's words.
- 潜台词，。Zhè bù diànyǐng de qián tái cí hěn shēn, hěnduō rén dōu méi kàndǒng.The subtext of this movie is very deep; many people didn't understand it.
- ，潜台词。Tā zuǐ shàng shuō tóngyì, dàn qián tái cí lǐ háishì fǎnduì.He verbally agrees, but his subtext is still opposed.
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