Chinese edit

 
to speak; to say; talk
to speak; to say; talk; word
 
to cross; to go over; (experienced action marker)
to cross; to go over; (experienced action marker); to pass; to celebrate; to live; to get along; excessively; too-
trad. (言過其實) 其實
simp. (言过其实) 其实

Etymology edit

From Guanzi:

不得過實不得 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
不得过实不得 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Guanzi, 5th century BCE to 220 CE
Wù gù yǒu xíng, xíng gù yǒu míng. yán bùdé guòshí, shí bùdé yán míng. [Pinyin]
Things have inherent forms; forms have inherent names. Words should not stretch the truth, and truth should not be used to go after immoderate fame.

Pronunciation edit


Idiom edit

言過其實

  1. to overstate the facts; to stretch the truth; to exaggerate