# 言而有信

yán ér yǒu xìn

Keep your word

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Speak and have trustworthiness

**Register:** Positive · conversational

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

## When to use it

Use to praise someone who follows through on promises.

It refers to reliability, not simply speaking confidently.

## Behind the words

The Analects links speech with trustworthiness. The compact expression preserves the idea that words create obligations.

The expression evaluates trustworthiness through whether a person's statements and commitments can be relied on. It often praises someone who fulfills a promise. When circumstances change, honest communication helps preserve trust, but does not make an unfulfilled commitment automatically fulfilled. Use the phrase for a demonstrated pattern rather than a claim about oneself alone.

## Examples

既然答应了，就要言而有信。

### Traditional Chinese

既然答應了，就要言而有信。

jì rán dā ying le ， jiù yào yán ér yǒu xìn 。

Since you promised, you should keep your word.

她答应周五交稿，就一定做到，向来言而有信。

### Traditional Chinese

她答應週五交稿，就一定做到，向來言而有信。

tā dā ying zhōu wǔ jiāo gǎo ， jiù yí dìng zuò dào ， xiàng lái yán ér yǒu xìn 。

She delivers when she promises a Friday deadline and consistently keeps her word.

孩子也需要看到大人言而有信。

hái zi yě xū yào kàn dào dà rén yán ér yǒu xìn 。

Children need to see adults keep their promises too.

他宁可提前说明困难，也不愿破坏言而有信的信誉。

### Traditional Chinese

他寧可提前說明困難，也不願破壞言而有信的信譽。

tā nìng kě tí qián shuō míng kùn nán ， yě bú yuàn pò huài yán ér yǒu xìn de xìn yù 。

He would rather explain a difficulty early than damage his reputation for keeping his word.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 4, 2026.

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=11119&q=1&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E8%A8%80%E8%80%8C%E6%9C%89%E4%BF%A1)

## Keep exploring

- [言行一致 yán xíng yī zhì Match words with actions ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yan-xing-yi-zhi)

- [阳奉阴违 yáng fèng yīn wéi Agree outwardly while secretly disobeying ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yang-feng-yin-wei)

- [仰人鼻息 yǎng rén bí xī Depend on another person's favor for survival ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yang-ren-bi-xi)

- [摇尾乞怜 yáo wěi qǐ lián Grovel for someone’s favor ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yao-wei-qi-lian)

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