I want translate "一语道破" or "一语道破天机" to a phase with an etymology.
tell the truth, blurts out the whole truth,
seem not very good.
3
-
It's not "blurt out", but "get the exact point" of something. It's pretty close to the phrase: "hit the nail (right) on the head" in English. Perhaps not that exactly, but the underlying connotation is similar.– danOct 30, 2018 at 3:43
-
'hit the nail on the head' is '一矢中的' in Chinese, meaning 'find exactly the right answer'– Tang Ho ♦Oct 30, 2018 at 5:32
-
@TangHo, It's a figure of speech. It could be extended more than that. state the truth exactly; find exactly the right answer; and etc.– danOct 30, 2018 at 5:38
Add a comment
|
2 Answers
一语 = in one sentence or one word (imply: 'directly and swiftly')
道破 = pointing out/ expose (speak out and expose something that's hidden)
一语道破 can be described as "directly (and swiftly) pointing out" in English
Example:
道破他的詭計 = speak out and expose his trickery
道破他的用心 = pointing out his intention
一语道破他的詭計 = directly (and swiftly) pointing out his trickery
一语道破他的用心 = directly (and swiftly) pointing out his intention
“一语道破天机” is not a proper sentence, because '天机' (heaven's secret/ plan) is not something you can easily find out.
-
1
-
-
try to make a little search on 一语道破天机, and you would get lots of examples and explainations.– danOct 30, 2018 at 5:06
-
garbage in, garbage out, Someone mixed up 一语道破 and 天机不可洩漏 , someone else tried to make sense of it , then someone else copied these so call answers and they all became search results– Tang Ho ♦Oct 30, 2018 at 5:13
-
1I knew 一语道破天机 since I was a little boy. It's actually very common. You could take anything people are saying as garbage if you wish. That's it.– danOct 30, 2018 at 5:21
i would suggest "freudian slip"
if it's fate, destiny related, maybe "oracle slip", or "divine slip"
in which slip referred to the "一語"
have fun :)
-
No, "freudian slip" (an unintentional error regarded as revealing subconscious feelings) it means someone carelessly mention something that should be kept secret. It is called 說漏嘴– Tang Ho ♦Oct 29, 2018 at 15:06