# 信口开河

xìn kǒu kāi hé

Speak recklessly without regard for facts

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Let the mouth pour out unchecked speech

**Traditional Chinese:** 信口開河

**Register:** Critical · general

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Criticize careless claims or irresponsible promises.

Casual storytelling is not necessarily factual deception.

## Understanding the expression

The mouth releases words freely, without checking where they lead or whether they are true. Modern use criticizes baseless assertions, wild promises, and careless accusations. The problem is not speaking spontaneously by itself. People can think aloud honestly while making uncertainty clear. The phrase fits when confidence outruns knowledge and the speaker treats words as cheap, even though listeners may act on them or others may be harmed by them.

## Examples

别信口开河，拿出证据。

### Traditional Chinese

別信口開河，拿出證據。

bié xìn kǒu kāi hé ， ná chū zhèng jù 。

Do not make baseless claims; show evidence.

他信口开河，答应三天完工。

### Traditional Chinese

他信口開河，答應三天完工。

tā xìn kǒu kāi hé ， dā ying sān tiān wán gōng 。

He recklessly promised completion in three days.

她不愿信口开河地评价陌生人。

### Traditional Chinese

她不願信口開河地評價陌生人。

tā bú yuàn xìn kǒu kāi hé dì píng jià mò shēng rén 。

She will not carelessly judge someone she does not know.

未经核实就指责，是信口开河。

### Traditional Chinese

未經核實就指責，是信口開河。

wèi jīng hé shí jiù zhǐ zé ， shì xìn kǒu kāi hé 。

Accusing someone without checking is irresponsible speech.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E4%BF%A1%E5%8F%A3%E9%96%8B%E6%B2%B3)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=325&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [心平气和 xīn píng qì hé Stay calm and even tempered ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xin-ping-qi-he)

- [信誓旦旦 xìn shì dàn dàn Make emphatic, solemn assurances ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xin-shi-dan-dan)

- [心心相印 xīn xīn xiāng yìn Understand one another deeply ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xin-xin-xiang-yin)

- [心悦诚服 xīn yuè chéng fú Accept willingly and sincerely ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xin-yue-cheng-fu)

## Keep this one close.

Save useful idioms, read offline, and revisit them with flashcards in Almanac.

[View on the App Store ](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6819590452)

[Previous idiom 信口雌黄 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xin-kou-ci-huang) [Next idiom 心旷神怡 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xin-kuang-shen-yi)