buyongshuo: 不用说 - Needless to say, It goes without saying
Quick Summary
Keywords: buyongshuo, 不用说, needless to say in Chinese, it goes without saying Chinese, obviously in Chinese, Chinese grammar, Chinese expression, common Chinese phrases, don't have to say, HSK 4 vocabulary
Summary: Learn how to use the common Chinese phrase 不用说 (búyòngshuō), which translates to “needless to say” or “it goes without saying.” This practical expression is used to emphasize a point that is so obvious to everyone involved that it doesn't require explanation. This guide will break down its meaning, cultural context, and provide numerous example sentences to help you master its use in everyday conversation.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): búyòngshuō
Part of Speech: Adverbial Phrase
HSK Level: HSK 4
Concise Definition: It is not necessary to say; it goes without saying.
In a Nutshell:不用说 (búyòngshuō) is a conversational tool used to introduce a fact that is completely obvious to the listener. It's the Chinese equivalent of saying, “Okay, we all know this part, so I don't even need to mention it…” before continuing with a related or more important point. It acknowledges a shared understanding and makes communication more efficient and natural.
Character Breakdown
不 (bù): A negative prefix meaning “not” or “no.”
用 (yòng): A versatile character meaning “to use,” but in this context, it means “need.”
说 (shuō): The verb “to speak” or “to say.”
When combined, `不用 (búyòng)` means “no need,” and `说 (shuō)` means “to say.” The literal translation “no need to say” perfectly captures the phrase's modern meaning.
Cultural Context and Significance
Acknowledging Shared Context: In Chinese communication, establishing common ground is important for building rapport. Using 不用说 (búyòngshuō) is a subtle way of saying, “You and I are on the same page; we share this basic understanding.” It streamlines conversation by skipping over the universally accepted premise to get to the main point.
Contrast with Western Communication: While English has “it goes without saying,” its usage can sometimes feel a bit more formal or literary. In contrast, 不用说 (búyòngshuō) is a very common, everyday phrase in Mandarin. It reflects a communication style that values efficiency and relies on high context, where speakers assume listeners are already familiar with the background of the topic being discussed. It's less about stating every single detail and more about highlighting new or important information against a backdrop of shared knowledge.
Practical Usage in Modern China
Conversation Starter: It's frequently used at the beginning of a sentence or clause to set the stage. It signals that the first piece of information is the “obvious part.”
Emphasis: It can be used to build an argument. The most common structure is: 不用说 + [Obvious Fact], 就连/就是 + [Even more surprising fact] + 也/都… (Needless to say X, even Y also…). This structure emphasizes the extent or degree of something.
Formality: The phrase is neutral to informal. It's perfectly suited for conversations with friends, family, and colleagues. You might see it in writing, but it's less common in highly academic or formal documents.
Example Sentences
Example 1:
他是我们班最聪明的学生，不用说，这次考试肯定又是第一名。
Pinyin: Tā shì wǒmen bān zuì cōngmíng de xuéshēng, búyòngshuō, zhè cì kǎoshì kěndìng yòu shì dì yī míng.
English: He is the smartest student in our class; needless to say, he will definitely be first place again on this exam.
Analysis: The first clause establishes a fact (he's the smartest). The result (getting first place) is therefore presented as an obvious conclusion.
Example 2:
上海是中国最大的城市之一，不用说，那里的生活成本非常高。
Pinyin: Shànghǎi shì Zhōngguó zuìdà de chéngshì zhīyī, búyòngshuō, nàlǐ de shēnghuó chéngběn fēicháng gāo.
English: Shanghai is one of China's largest cities; it goes without saying that the cost of living there is very high.
Analysis: The high cost of living is presented as a direct and obvious consequence of Shanghai being a major metropolis.
Example 3:
这家餐厅的菜特别好吃，不用说，每天都坐满了人。
Pinyin: Zhè jiā cāntīng de cài tèbié hǎochī, búyòngshuō, měitiān dōu zuò mǎn le rén.
English: This restaurant's food is especially delicious; needless to say, it's packed with people every day.
Analysis: This links the cause (delicious food) to the obvious effect (it's always full).
English: Needless to say adults, even children know this story.
Analysis: This uses the classic `不用说…, 就连…也/都…` structure. It emphasizes how widespread the knowledge is by stating the obvious group (adults) and then highlighting a more surprising group (children).
English: During the Spring Festival period, it goes without saying that train tickets are definitely very hard to buy.
Analysis: This refers to a piece of common knowledge for anyone familiar with modern China. The difficulty of buying tickets during this holiday is a given.
Example 6:
他的中文那么流利，不用说，肯定在中国住过很多年。
Pinyin: Tā de Zhōngwén nàme liúlì, búyòngshuō, kěndìng zài Zhōngguó zhùguò hěnduō nián.
English: His Chinese is so fluent; needless to say, he must have lived in China for many years.
Analysis: The fluency is the evidence, and having lived in China is the obvious conclusion drawn from that evidence.
Example 7:
那部电影的导演非常有名，不用说，票房一定很高。
Pinyin: Nà bù diànyǐng de dǎoyǎn fēicháng yǒumíng, búyòngshuō, piàofáng yīdìng hěn gāo.
English: That movie's director is very famous; it goes without saying, the box office results will surely be very high.
Analysis: This connects a famous director's reputation with the expected commercial success of their film.
Example 8:
他每天都锻炼身体，不用说，他的身体非常健康。
Pinyin: Tā měitiān dōu duànliàn shēntǐ, búyòngshuō, tā de shēntǐ fēicháng jiànkāng.
English: He exercises every day; needless to say, he is in very good health.
Analysis: A simple cause-and-effect statement where the outcome is obvious.
English: This project is so important, it goes without saying the boss will come to supervise personally.
Analysis: This highlights an expected action based on the stated importance of a situation.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
Don't State the Non-Obvious: The primary mistake is using 不用说 for information that is not actually common knowledge. If you say `不用说，我今天早饭吃了一个苹果 (Búyòngshuō, wǒ jīntiān zǎofàn chīle yīgè píngguǒ)`, it sounds very strange, as nobody would know or assume what you ate for breakfast. It must be used for a fact that the listener would readily agree is obvious.
False Friend: “Don't say” vs. “No need to say”
不用说 (búyòngshuō): “It's not necessary to say.” It introduces an obvious fact.
别说 (bié shuō): “Don't say it.” This is a command telling someone not to speak.
Incorrect: Your friend is about to reveal a secret, and you say `不用说! (búyòngshuō!)`. This is wrong.
Correct: To stop them, you must say `别说! (bié shuō!)`.
Related Terms and Concepts
还用说 (hái yòng shuō): “Does that even need to be said?!” A rhetorical question with the exact same function and feeling as `不用说`, but with a more emphatic, conversational tone.
可想而知 (kěxiǎng'érzhī): “One can well imagine.” A slightly more formal set phrase used when a conclusion can be easily inferred from the situation.
显而易见 (xiǎn'éryìjiàn): A formal idiom (chengyu) for “obviously” or “it's evident that.” Used more in writing than in casual speech.
当然 (dāngrán): “Of course; certainly.” Often used as a standalone answer to a question to show the answer is obvious.
废话 (fèihuà): “Nonsense; superfluous words.” This is the concept that `不用说` helps you avoid. If you state something incredibly obvious, a friend might jokingly say, `那不是废话吗？(nà bùshì fèihuà ma?)` - “Isn't that just nonsense/stating the obvious?”