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表达本意
biǎodá běnyì
express one's true intention
他试图表达本意，但听众误解了他的意思。
He tried to express his true intention, but the audience misunderstood him.
neutral
To communicate the genuine meaning or purpose behind one's words or actions.
演讲者费了很大劲才表达本意，因为观众一开始误解了他的立场。
The speaker struggled to express his true intention because the audience initially misunderstood his stance.
这封邮件没有表达本意，导致合作伙伴产生了误会。
The email didn't express the true intention, leading to a misunderstanding with the partner.
Often used in contexts where clarity is crucial, such as negotiations, presentations, or interpersonal communication.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoiding Miscommunication
When using '表达本意', ensure the context makes it clear that you are referring to the underlying intention rather than the literal words. For example, '他说的话没有表达本意' means 'What he said did not reflect his true intention.'
Gold Rule
Clarity Over Literal Meaning
In Chinese communication, '表达本意' often highlights the gap between spoken words and the speaker's actual motivation. Always consider whether the speaker is being direct or indirect in their phrasing.
Word Origin
The phrase combines '表达' (biǎodá, to express) and '本意' (běnyì, original intention). '本意' is a compound noun where '本' means 'original' or 'true' and '意' means 'intention' or 'meaning'. The phrase emerged in modern Chinese to emphasize the distinction between literal communication and the speaker's underlying purpose.
Usage Notes
This phrase is commonly used in formal or semi-formal contexts to stress the importance of honesty or clarity in communication. It is less common in casual speech where simpler expressions like '说心里话' (speak from the heart) might suffice.
Word Breakdown
表达
to express or convey
verb本意
original intention or true meaning
noun汉英词典