Free Chinese learning materials for you! This series uncovers idioms and proverbs, rich in meaning. Let’s break down 「弦外之音」 and its usage.
Here’s the idiom 「弦外之音」, with its definition and practical application described below.
Originally refers to the lingering sound of music. A metaphor for the implied meaning, that is, the meaning indirectly revealed in the words rather than stated explicitly.
The Mandarin pronunciation of this idiom is :
xián wài zhī yīn
while its Cantonese pinyin is :
yin4 ngoi6 ji1 yam1
Chinese idioms are vast in number, each carrying unique meanings and usages. With such variety, there’s a lot to learn and appreciate. Hopefully, these resources will aid you on your journey to mastering Chinese.

