1. a short, well-known phrase that expresses a common truth or piece of advice
一句簡短、廣為人知的短語，表達普遍的真理或建議
"Actions speak louder than words" is a popular saying.
「行動勝於空談」是一句廣為流傳的諺語。
My grandmother often quotes old sayings about life.
我祖母經常引用關於人生的古老格言。
Saying Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
saying
noun
快速理解
What does "Saying" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Saying"?
「saying」通常指廣為流傳、表達智慧或常見觀念的短語或格言。
- 1
格言；諺語
EN: A short, well-known phrase that expresses a common truth or piece of wisdom.
翻譯: 一句簡短、廣為人知，表達普遍真理或智慧的短語。
- 2
俗語；常言
EN: A traditional or popular remark that is often repeated.
翻譯: 一句傳統或流行的話語，經常被人們重複使用。
- 3
說法；言論
EN: Something that is said; a statement or remark.
翻譯: 所說的話；一種陳述或評論。
小提醒：「saying」通常指已固定下來的名言或俗語，而非當下隨口說出的話。
發音（How to Pronounce "Saying" in English）
How to pronounce "Saying" in English?"Saying" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Saying" from YouTube Videos
South Korea would accept Trump-Kim deal to freeze North Korea’s nuclear programme | BBC News
BBC News
“And Kim Jong-un saying, really for the first time since Trump returned to office, that he would be willing to sit down with President Trump, but with this one key caveat: that the US would need to drop this demand for North Korea to get rid of its nuclear weapons, this denuclearization which has been on the table before.”
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Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Saying"?How does "Saying" change by context?
2. the act of expressing something in words
用言語表達某事的行為
Her saying "I do" at the wedding was very emotional.
她在婚禮上說出「我願意」時非常感人。
Just saying the words out loud made him feel better.
僅僅是把這些話大聲說出來就讓他感覺好多了。
3. a commonly repeated statement or opinion
常被重複的陳述或觀點
There's a saying in the office that the early bird gets the best parking spot.
辦公室裡有個說法，早起的鳥兒有最好的停車位。
He dismissed the criticism as just an old saying with no basis in fact.
他駁斥了這項批評，認為那只是一個沒有事實依據的老生常談。
4. to express something in words; to speak
用言語表達某事；說
He kept saying he was sorry.
他一直說他很抱歉。
What are you trying to say?
你到底想說什麼？
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Saying"?How to make natural sentences with "Saying"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| a saying + about + noun | 關於…的諺語/格言 | There's an old saying about patience and reward. (有一句關於耐心與回報的老話。) |
| as the saying goes | 正如俗話所說 | As the saying goes, "All good things must come to an end." (正如俗話所說：「天下無不散的筵席。」) |
| go against a common saying | 違背一句常見的諺語 | His actions go against the common saying, "Honesty is the best policy." (他的行為違背了「誠實為上策」這句常見的諺語。) |
| prove the truth of a saying | 證實一句話的真實性 | Her success proved the truth of the saying, "Hard work pays off." (她的成功證實了「努力會有回報」這句話的真實性。) |
用法說明
How is "Saying" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Saying"?
saying vs. saying that
- saying + 名詞/動名詞 (gerund)： 表示「說出某個詞語、句子或格言」這個動作本身。
- saying that + 子句： 表示「說出一個完整的陳述、觀點或事實」，後面接一個完整的句子來說明內容。
- 當「saying」後面接的是直接引述的具體話語（用引號括起）或一個簡短片語時，通常直接使用
saying。 - 當需要引導一個解釋原因、背景或詳細內容的子句時，則使用
saying that。 EN: He left the room without saying a word. 翻譯: 他一句話也沒說就離開了房間。
EN:He explained his absence, saying that he had been ill.
翻譯:他解釋了自己缺席的原因，說他之前生病了。
總結建議
一般情況下，若後接完整子句來表達所說的具體內容，使用 "saying that" 會使語意更清晰。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Saying" and similar words?How to choose "Saying" vs alternatives?
saying vs proverb
「saying」泛指廣為流傳的短語或格言，範圍較廣；「proverb」則特指蘊含智慧或教訓的傳統格言，通常更為古老且具權威性。
saying vs idiom
「saying」的意義通常可直接從字面理解；「idiom」的意義則無法從個別單字推斷，是固定的比喻性短語。
saying vs quote
「saying」通常沒有明確的作者來源，是集體流傳的；「quote」則有明確的出處和發言者。
口語用法
How is "Saying" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Saying"?
引述
在對話中，常用來引述或提及一句廣為人知的諺語、格言或他人的話。 EN: As the saying goes, "Don't count your chickens before they hatch." 翻譯: 正如俗話所說：「蛋未孵出，別先數雞。」
EN:You know the old saying, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."
翻譯:你知道那句老話：「入境隨俗。」
語氣強調
用來強調接下來要說的話是眾所周知或普遍接受的道理，以加強說服力或引起共鳴。 EN: It's just a saying, but there's a lot of truth to it. 翻譯: 這只是一句俗語，但其中很有道理。
EN:There's a saying that time heals all wounds.
翻譯:有句俗話說，時間能治癒一切傷口。
停頓填充
在組織思緒或尋找合適詞語時，可作為口語中的填充詞，引出一個常見說法來延續對話。 EN: Well, you know the saying... what goes around comes around. 翻譯: 嗯，你知道那句俗話……善有善報，惡有惡報。
EN:It's like the saying... actions speak louder than words.
翻譯:這就像那句俗語……行動勝於空談。
正式寫作注意：在學術論文、正式報告或法律文書中，應避免使用 "saying" 這種泛指詞。建議直接引述具體的諺語、格言或名言，並註明出處，以保持文章的嚴謹性與準確性。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Saying"?What fixed phrases with "Saying" should I remember?
popular saying
adj + saying
廣為流傳的說法、俗語
old saying
adj + saying
古老的格言、諺語
as the saying goes
as the saying goes
正如俗話所說
wise saying
adj + saying
充滿智慧的格言
common saying
adj + saying
常見的說法、俗語
trite saying
adj + saying
陳腔濫調、老生常談
coin a saying
verb + a saying
創造一句新的格言或說法
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Saying"?Which "Saying" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×There is a Chinese saying that says "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
✓There is a Chinese saying that goes "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
The verb "say" is not typically used to introduce a saying. Use "go" (e.g., "the saying goes") or simply state the saying directly.
×My grandfather always told me many wise sayings.
✓My grandfather always taught me many wise sayings.
While you can "tell someone a saying," the more natural collocation for imparting wisdom is "teach someone a saying" or "share a saying with someone."
×This is a common saying in my country: "Time is money."
✓A common saying in my country is "Time is money."
The original structure is not grammatically wrong but is awkward and wordy. The corrected form uses a more standard and concise sentence structure ("A common saying is...").
×Can you tell me the meaning of this saying? "The early bird catches the worm."
✓Can you explain the meaning of this saying? "The early bird catches the worm."
While "tell the meaning" is understandable, the more natural and precise verb to use with the "meaning" of a proverb or saying is "explain."
×He finished his speech with a saying.
✓He concluded his speech with a saying.
"Finish" is grammatically correct but imprecise. "Conclude" is a more formal and fitting verb for ending a speech or presentation with a meaningful quote or proverb.
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Saying"?What are tense/participle forms of "Saying"?