# 言之有物

yán zhī yǒu wù

Say something substantive

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Words contain something real

**Register:** Appreciative · expressive

[Perspective](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/perspective)

## When to use it

Praise meaningful content supported by facts or ideas.

Substance matters more than impressive vocabulary.

## Understanding the expression

The words carry actual information or thought rather than merely occupying space. The expression praises writing and speech that make a clear point, offer evidence, or help the audience understand something. It does not require dense terminology or great length. A brief explanation can be substantive, while a long speech can remain empty. The quality becomes clear when listeners can identify what they learned or what reasoning the speaker supplied.

## Examples

这篇评论言之有物。

### Traditional Chinese

這篇評論言之有物。

zhè piān píng lùn yán zhī yǒu wù 。

This commentary has real substance.

演讲要言之有物，不能只喊口号。

### Traditional Chinese

演講要言之有物，不能只喊口號。

yǎn jiǎng yào yán zhī yǒu wù ， bù néng zhī hǎn kǒu hào 。

A speech needs substance, not just slogans.

她虽说得简短，却言之有物。

### Traditional Chinese

她雖說得簡短，卻言之有物。

tā suī shuō dé jiǎn duǎn ， què yán zhī yǒu wù 。

Although she speaks briefly, her words are substantive.

加入实例后，报告更言之有物。

### Traditional Chinese

加入實例後，報告更言之有物。

jiā rù shí lì hòu ， bào gào gèng yán zhī yǒu wù 。

Adding concrete examples gave the report more substance.

## 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=%E8%A8%80%E4%B9%8B%E6%9C%89%E7%89%A9)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1006&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [咬文嚼字 yǎo wén jiáo zì Focus excessively on wording ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yao-wen-jiao-zi)

- [夜郎自大 yè láng zì dà Be absurdly self-important through ignorance ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/ye-lang-zi-da)

- [亦步亦趋 yì bù yì qū Follow another's actions slavishly ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yi-bu-yi-qu)

- [一尘不染 yī chén bù rǎn Be spotless or morally untainted ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yi-chen-bu-ran)

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