jin4 gwo3 kei4 sat6言過其實言过其实

Jyutpingjin4 gwo3 kei4 sat6

Yaleyìhn gwo kèih saht

語句

Definition

To exaggerate or overstate the truth; to talk bigger than the facts warrant.

neutralcommunicationdescriptions

How it's used

This idiom carries a formal tone and is typically used in critical or analytical contexts to point out that someone's claims or descriptions do not match reality. It is often employed when evaluating marketing, reviews, or personal boasts. While it functions as a set phrase, it can be integrated into sentences using 係 or 覺得 to soften the delivery.

Examples

keoi5佢gong2講go2嗰di1啲je5嘢zan1真hai6係jin4言gwo3過kei4其sat6實。

What he said is really an exaggeration.

nei5你gok3覺dak1得ni1呢go3個gwong2廣gou3告hai6係mai6咪jin4言gwo3過kei4其sat6實aa4呀？

Do you think this advertisement is overstating things?

Common phrases

pai1批ping4評jin4言gwo3過kei4其sat6實

to criticize as exaggerated

zi2指hung3控jin4言gwo3過kei4其sat6實

to claim the accusation is overstated

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a simple adjective, but it functions as a predicate phrase. Avoid using it to describe physical objects, as it specifically refers to the discrepancy between speech or writing and the actual facts.