sit and talk idly; engage in empty high-sounding talk
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to sit and discuss principles; to engage in high-sounding but empty talk; to talk idly without action
formalOriginally neutral (discussing state affairs), now often derogatory implying empty talk without practical action. Contrasts with 身体力行 or 脚踏实地.
Wǒ我
men们
bù不
néng能
zhǐ只
zuò坐
ér而
lùn论
dào道
，
bì必
xū须
fù付
zhū诸
xíng行
dòng动
。
We cannot just engage in empty talk; we must put words into action.
Tā他
xǐ喜
huan欢
zuò坐
ér而
lùn论
dào道
，
què却
cóng从
bù不
kěn肯
shí实
gàn干
。
He loves to talk high-sounding theories but is never willing to do solid work.
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Huì会
yì议
shàng上
dà大
jiā家
zuò坐
ér而
lùn论
dào道
，
méi没
yǒu有
ná拿
chū出
jù具
tǐ体
fāng方
àn案
。
At the meeting everyone just engaged in idle discussion without coming up with concrete proposals.
Zhì治
lǐ理
guó国
jiā家
bù不
néng能
zuò坐
ér而
lùn论
dào道
，
yào要
shēn深
rù入
jī基
céng层
。
Governing a country cannot be done through empty talk; one must go deep among the grassroots.