express in words; teach verbally
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to express or teach using words; to put into words
Frequently appears in the idiom 只可意会，不可言传 (can be understood intuitively but cannot be expressed in words).
Zhǐ只
kě可
yì意
huì会
，
bù不
kě可
yán言
chuán传
。
It can only be understood intuitively, not expressed in words.
Yǒu有
xiē些
qíng情
gǎn感
nán难
yǐ以
yán言
chuán传
。
Some emotions are difficult to put into words.
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Shī师
fu傅
yán言
chuán传
shēn身
jiào教
，
dì弟
zi子
shòu受
yì益
fěi匪
qiǎn浅
。
The master taught both by word and by example, and the disciples benefited greatly.