Definition
话中有话 is a four-character idiom (chengyu) that literally means 'there are words within the words.' It describes a situation where a speaker's words carry an implied or hidden meaning beyond the surface statement—a subtle hint, insinuation, or indirect message. You use it when you want to point out that someone is speaking with an ulterior layer of meaning, often in conversations, negotiations, or criticism.
f.e.
words with hidden meaningovertonesinsinuation
Examples
- 话中有话，。Tā gāngcái shuō de nà fān huà huà zhōng, nǐ yào zǐxì zuómo.What he just said has hidden meanings — you need to think it over carefully.
- 话中有话，。Tā de huà huà zhōng, míngxiǎn shì zài ànshì wǒmen búyào zài wèn le.Her words carried overtones — she was clearly hinting that we should stop asking.
- ，话中有话，。Měi cì tǎolùn zhège wèntí, tā dōu huà zhōng, ràng rén gǎo bù dǒng tā de zhēnshí xiǎngfǎ.Every time we discuss this issue, he speaks with hidden meanings, making it hard to understand his real intention.
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