Chinese idiom · 成语
言过其实
Meaning
Words exceed reality; to exaggerate or overstate.
Character by character
Origin and story
historical writingYing Shao’s Fengsu Tongyi (風俗通義), in its Zheng Shi section, questions exaggerated traditions about Emperor Wen of Han. It recounts an explanation attributed to Liu Xiang: because the emperor treated those offering advice kindly, favorable accounts multiplied, and later readers mistook praise for established fact. Ying lists implausible or inflated stories and calls them 言过其实—words going beyond reality.
The phrase also appears in the Sanguo Zhi, where Liu Bei warns Zhuge Liang that Ma Su’s talk exceeds his actual capability. These contexts share an important distinction between impressive language and what can be substantiated. The idiom can criticize overpraise, inflated promises, or exaggerated reports without necessarily claiming that every detail is wholly invented.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
广告说五分钟就能收好全屋，我试过以后觉得有点言过其实。
The ad says you can tidy the whole home in five minutes; after trying it, I think that's exaggerated.
For claims exceeding reality; can be softened with 有点 when offering measured criticism.