wuyongzhiyi: 毋庸置疑 - Without a doubt, Unquestionable [The Contextual Chinese Dictionary]

This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong.
====== wuyongzhiyi: 毋庸置疑 - Without a doubt, Unquestionable ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** wuyongzhiyi, wú yōng zhì yí, 毋庸置疑, without a doubt, unquestionable, indisputable, beyond doubt, how to say certainly in Chinese, formal Chinese idiom, Chinese chengyu, HSK 6 vocabulary.
  * **Summary:** Discover the meaning and usage of the formal Chinese idiom **毋庸置疑 (wú yōng zhì yí)**, which translates to "without a doubt" or "unquestionable." This guide is perfect for learners who want to express absolute certainty in more formal or written contexts. We break down the characters, explore the cultural significance, and provide numerous practical examples to help you master this powerful and elegant expression of indisputable fact.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** wú yōng zhì yí
  * **Part of Speech:** Idiom (成语, chéngyǔ)
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 6
  * **Concise Definition:** There is no need for doubt; it is beyond any question.
  * **In a Nutshell:** **毋庸置疑** is a formal, four-character idiom used to state that something is an absolute, undeniable fact. It conveys a strong sense of authority and objective certainty. Think of it as the Chinese equivalent of starting a sentence with "Indisputably..." or "It is an unquestionable fact that...". It is primarily used in formal writing, speeches, news reports, and serious discussions to present a solid, non-negotiable point.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **毋 (wú):** A classical and formal character meaning "do not" or "no need". It's a stronger and more literary negation than the common `不 (bù)`.
  * **庸 (yōng):** In this context, this character means "to need" or "to require". It's a literary term, distinct from the everyday word `需要 (xūyào)`.
  * **置 (zhì):** Means "to place," "to put," or "to position."
  * **疑 (yí):** Means "doubt" or "suspicion."
When combined, `毋庸 (wú yōng)` means "there is no need." `置疑 (zhì yí)` is a formal way to say "to cast doubt" (literally "to place doubt"). Therefore, the entire idiom **毋庸置疑** literally means "there is no need to place doubt," which elegantly communicates that something is unquestionable and certain.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
As a `成语 (chéngyǔ)`, **毋庸置疑** carries the weight of China's long literary tradition. Using it correctly demonstrates a higher level of education and linguistic sophistication. It is a hallmark of formal, reasoned argumentation and factual reporting.
In Western culture, one might say "It's a fact that..." or "Undoubtedly..." to express certainty. **毋庸置疑** is similar but carries a stronger sense of objective, almost "provable" truth. While an English speaker might say, "Undoubtedly, this is the best team," which is still an opinion, using **毋庸置疑** is typically reserved for statements that are presented as objective facts or widely accepted truths. For example, "**毋庸置疑**, the Earth revolves around the Sun."
This preference for using such a strong term for objective facts reflects a cultural value in Chinese discourse where arguments are often built upon a foundation of established, unarguable principles or truths.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
  * **Formality:** This is a very formal term. It is best suited for written Chinese (essays, reports, news articles) and formal spoken contexts (speeches, presentations, serious debates). Using it in a casual conversation with friends would sound overly dramatic or even pretentious.
  * **Connotation:** The term is neutral but carries immense weight. It is used to state a fact with absolute conviction. It can be applied to positive, negative, or neutral statements.
  * **Common Structures:**
    * **As a sentence opener:** `毋庸置疑，[Statement of fact].` (Without a doubt, [Statement of fact].)
    * **As a concluding phrase:** `[Statement of fact]，这一点是毋庸置疑的。` ([Statement of fact], this point is beyond doubt.)
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 他的才华是**毋庸置疑**的，公司里的每个人都非常佩服他。
    * Pinyin: Tā de cáihuá shì **wú yōng zhì yí** de, gōngsī lǐ de měi ge rén dōu fēicháng pèifú tā.
    * English: His talent is **unquestionable**; everyone in the company admires him very much.
    * Analysis: This sentence uses the idiom to state the person's talent as an established fact, not just an opinion.
  * **Example 2:**
    * **毋庸置疑**，中国的经济在过去几十年里取得了巨大的成就。
    * Pinyin: **Wú yōng zhì yí**, Zhōngguó de jīngjì zài guòqù jǐ shí nián lǐ qǔdéle jùdà de chéngjiù.
    * English: **Without a doubt**, China's economy has made tremendous achievements in the past few decades.
    * Analysis: This is a typical use case in formal or journalistic writing, presenting a widely accepted fact as the premise for further discussion.
  * **Example 3:**
    * 健康是人生最重要的财富，这一点**毋庸置疑**。
    * Pinyin: Jiànkāng shì rénshēng zuì zhòngyào de cáifù, zhè yī diǎn **wú yōng zhì yí**.
    * English: Health is the most important wealth in life; this point is **beyond doubt**.
    * Analysis: Here, it's used at the end of a sentence to strongly reaffirm a universally accepted truth.
  * **Example 4:**
    * **毋庸置疑**，这项科学发现将对人类社会产生深远的影响。
    * Pinyin: **Wú yōng zhì yí**, zhè xiàng kēxué fāxiàn jiāng duì rénlèi shèhuì chǎnshēng shēnyuǎn de yǐngxiǎng.
    * English: **Unquestionably**, this scientific discovery will have a profound impact on human society.
    * Analysis: Perfect for academic or formal contexts to state the significance of a finding with certainty.
  * **Example 5:**
    * 客户对我们产品的满意度是**毋庸置疑**的，销售数据就是最好的证明。
    * Pinyin: Kèhù duì wǒmen chǎnpǐn de mǎnyìdù shì **wú yōng zhì yí** de, xiāoshòu shùjù jiùshì zuì hǎo de zhèngmíng.
    * English: The customers' satisfaction with our product is **indisputable**; the sales data is the best proof.
    * Analysis: A common usage in a business report or presentation to state a conclusion backed by evidence.
  * **Example 6:**
    * **毋庸置疑**，教育是国家发展的基石。
    * Pinyin: **Wú yōng zhì yí**, jiàoyù shì guójiā fāzhǎn de jīshí.
    * English: **It is beyond doubt** that education is the cornerstone of national development.
    * Analysis: Used in a formal speech or policy document to state a core principle.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 故宫的建筑之美是**毋庸置疑**的，每年都吸引着数百万游客。
    * Pinyin: Gùgōng de jiànzhù zhī měi shì **wú yōng zhì yí** de, měi nián dōu xīyǐnzhe shù bǎi wàn yóukè.
    * English: The architectural beauty of the Forbidden City is **unquestionable**; it attracts millions of tourists every year.
    * Analysis: This example shows it can be used to describe aesthetic qualities when they are widely acknowledged as facts.
  * **Example 8:**
    * 面对如此多的证据，他有罪的事实**毋庸置疑**。
    * Pinyin: Miànduì rúcǐ duō de zhèngjù, tā yǒuzuì de shìshí **wú yōng zhì yí**.
    * English: Faced with so much evidence, the fact of his guilt is **indisputable**.
    * Analysis: Demonstrates its use in a legal or investigative context, where certainty is paramount.
  * **Example 9:**
    * **毋庸置疑**，团队合作是项目成功的关键。
    * Pinyin: **Wú yōng zhì yí**, tuánduì hézuò shì xiàngmù chénggōng de guānjiàn.
    * English: **Without a doubt**, teamwork is the key to the project's success.
    * Analysis: A strong, declarative statement often used in business or management settings.
  * **Example 10:**
    * 这是一个**毋庸置疑**的事实，我们必须接受它。
    * Pinyin: Zhè shì yí ge **wú yōng zhì yí** de shìshí, wǒmen bìxū jiēshòu tā.
    * English: This is an **unquestionable** fact, and we must accept it.
    * Analysis: Shows the idiom used as an adjective modifying "fact" (`事实`).
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **Mistake 1: Overuse in Casual Conversation.**
    * A common error for advanced learners is to use this formal idiom in everyday situations. It sounds unnatural and overly serious.
    * `* (Incorrect):` A: "这家餐厅的菜好吃吗？" (Is the food at this restaurant good?) B: "**毋庸置疑**！"
    * `* (Why it's wrong):` This is like responding "Indisputably!" to a simple question about food. It's grammatically correct but socially awkward.
    * `* (Correct alternatives):` `当然好吃！(Dāngrán hǎochī!)` - "Of course it's delicious!" or `肯定好吃！(Kěndìng hǎochī!)` - "Definitely delicious!"
  * **Mistake 2: Confusing it with Subjective Opinions.**
    * While you can use it to state a widely held opinion as a fact (like the beauty of the Forbidden City), avoid using it for purely personal, subjective opinions. It implies objectivity.
    * `* (Awkward):` **毋庸置疑**，蓝色是最好的颜色。(Wú yōng zhì yí, lánsè shì zuì hǎo de yánsè.) - "Unquestionably, blue is the best color."
    * `* (Why it's awkward):` This presents a personal preference as an objective, universal truth. It's better to say `我个人认为 (wǒ gèrén rènwéi)` - "I personally think..."
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[毫无疑问]] (háo wú yí wèn) - Without a shred of doubt. A very close synonym and slightly more common in modern formal speech than **毋庸置疑**, but both are interchangeable in many contexts.
  * [[不言而喻]] (bù yán ér yù) - Self-evident; it goes without saying. This term implies something is so obvious that it doesn't need to be explained, whereas **毋庸置疑** implies that it is a fact that cannot be challenged.
  * [[无可争辩]] (wú kě zhēng biàn) - Indisputable; irrefutable. A very strong synonym that emphasizes the impossibility of arguing against the point.
  * [[显而易见]] (xiǎn ér yì jiàn) - Obvious; clear to see. This emphasizes that something is visually or logically apparent and easy to perceive.
  * [[千真万确]] (qiān zhēn wàn què) - Absolutely true. This idiom emphasizes the authenticity and truthfulness of a piece of information, often with more emotion.
  * [[肯定]] (kěndìng) - Definitely; to affirm. This is a common adverb used in both formal and informal contexts to express strong certainty. It's a much more versatile and less formal alternative.
  * [[当然]] (dāngrán) - Of course; certainly. The most common and conversational way to express agreement or certainty in daily life.