yīyánjìchū,sìmǎnánzhuī

一言既出,驷马难追

Word · IdiomTraditional一言既出,駟馬難追

words once spoken cannot be taken back

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

1 sense · 3 examples
1.

idiom

once a word is spoken, it cannot be taken back even by a team of four horses; what's said cannot be unsaid; a promise must be kept

formal

Used to emphasize the importance of keeping one's word or the irreversibility of spoken words. Often used as a warning to be careful about what one says, or as a reminder that a promise is binding. This idiom is commonly quoted to stress the value of integrity and the finality of verbal commitments.

Yī一
yán言
jì既
chū出
 ,
sì驷
mǎ马
nán难
zhuī追
 ,
nǐ你
kě可
yào要
shuō说
huà话
suàn算
shù数
 。

A gentleman's word is his bond—you must keep your promise.

Zán咱
men们
yī一
yán言
jì既
chū出
 ,
sì驷
mǎ马
nán难
zhuī追
 ,
jué绝
bù不
fǎn反
huǐ悔
 。

What's said is said, and we absolutely won't go back on our word.

Show 1 more example
Tā他
shēn深
zhī知
yī一
yán言
jì既
chū出
 ,
sì驷
mǎ马
nán难
zhuī追
de的
dào道
lǐ理
 ,
suǒ所
yǐ以
cóng从
bù不
qīng轻
yì易
xǔ许
nuò诺
 。

He deeply understands that words once spoken cannot be taken back, so he never makes promises lightly.