subtext; implied meaning; underlying message
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesnoun
the unspoken, implied meaning behind dialogue
technicalA technical term from drama and literature for analyzing the deeper, unstated meaning in a character's lines.
Yǎn演
yuán员
bì必
xū须
lǐ理
jiě解
jù剧
běn本
de的
qián潜
tái台
cí词
cái才
néng能
yǎn演
hǎo好
jué角
sè色
。
Actors must understand the subtext of the script to perform their roles well.
Tā他
tái台
cí词
hěn很
jiǎn简
dān单
，
dàn但
qián潜
tái台
cí词
shì是
ràng让
wǒ我
men们
lí离
kāi开
。
His lines were simple, but the subtext was for us to leave.
noun
the real, unspoken intention behind words or actions; hidden agenda
neutralCommonly used in general conversation, social analysis, and psychology to describe the real, often hidden, thoughts and motives behind what is said or done.
Lǎo老
bǎn板
méi没
shuō说
fǎn反
duì对
，
dàn但
tā他
de的
qián潜
tái台
cí词
jiù就
shì是
zhè这
ge个
jì计
huà划
fēng风
xiǎn险
tài太
dà大
。
The boss didn't say he was opposed, but his underlying message was that this plan is too risky.
Zhè这
jù句
huà话
de的
qián潜
tái台
cí词
jiù就
shì是
tā他
bú不
xìn信
rèn任
wǒ我
men们
。
The implied meaning of this sentence is that he doesn't trust us.
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Zhèng政
zhì治
yǎn演
jiǎng讲
lǐ里
cháng常
cháng常
chōng充
mǎn满
le了
qián潜
tái台
cí词
。
Political speeches are often full of subtext.