shuō huà suàn huà: 说话算话 - To Keep One's Word, To Mean What You Say

• Keywords: shuohuasuanhua, 说话算话, keep one's word in Chinese, mean what you say, reliable, trustworthy in Chinese, Chinese promise, Chinese idiom for integrity, 言而有信, 一诺千金
• Summary: Discover the meaning of 说话算话 (shuō huà suàn huà), a fundamental Chinese idiom that translates to “keeping one's word” or “meaning what you say.” This page explores its cultural importance, breaking down the characters, providing practical examples, and explaining how it reflects the deep value placed on reliability, integrity, and trustworthiness in Chinese society. Learn how to use this crucial term to describe a person of their word in business and personal relationships.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): shuō huà suàn huà
• Part of Speech: Idiom (成语, chéngyǔ) / Verb Phrase
• HSK Level: N/A (but a highly common and essential term)
• Concise Definition: To be as good as one's word; to mean what one says and follow through.
• In a Nutshell: 说话算话 literally translates to “spoken words count as words.” It describes a person whose promises are not empty talk. It’s a core tenet of personal integrity in China, signifying that once you've said you'll do something, it's as good as done. This isn't just about honesty; it's about reliability and the action that follows the promise.

• 说 (shuō): To speak, to say, to talk.
• 话 (huà): Word, speech, talk.
• 算 (suàn): To count, to calculate, to be considered as, to be valid.
• 话 (huà): Word, speech, talk.

The structure is beautifully logical: 说话 (shuō huà) means “to speak words,” and 算话 (suàn huà) means the “words count” or “the words are valid.” Together, they form the concept that the words you have spoken are valid and will be acted upon. You don't just talk the talk; you walk the walk.

In Chinese culture, being a person who is 说话算话 is one of the highest forms of praise for one's character. It is directly tied to the Confucian value of 信 (xìn), which means trustworthiness, integrity, and faithfulness. While Western cultures value keeping a promise, the concept of 说话算话 is often more deeply integrated into one's social standing and “face” (面子 (miànzi)). A person who consistently fails to 说话算话 is not just seen as flaky or forgetful, but as fundamentally untrustworthy and lacking in character. This can have severe consequences for their personal relationships and business reputation. Comparison to a Western Concept: Think of the English phrase “a person of their word” or “their word is their bond.” 说话算话 embodies this, but it's less of a personal choice and more of a foundational expectation in social and professional interactions. In business, a verbal agreement with someone known to be 说话算话 can sometimes feel more secure than a written contract with someone who isn't. It's the bedrock upon which 关系 (guānxi) and trust are built.

This term is widely used in all aspects of life and is almost always positive when describing someone. The opposite, 说话不算话 (shuō huà bù suàn huà), is a serious criticism.

• In Business: Trust is paramount. A business partner who is 说话算话 is considered reliable and worth collaborating with. It is often explicitly stated as a core value. “我们公司向来说话算话。” (Our company has always kept its word.)
• In Personal Relationships: A friend, partner, or family member who is 说话算话 is dependable. It's used to praise someone's reliability or to hold them accountable. “你答应了就要说话算话啊！” (You promised, so you have to keep your word!)
• In Politics and Governance: Citizens expect their leaders to 说话算话. When a government official makes a promise, the public uses this phrase to express their expectation that the promise will be fulfilled.

The phrase is suitable for both formal and informal situations. It carries significant weight and is not typically used for trivial matters.

• Example 1:
  • 他是个说话算话的人，你完全可以相信他。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì ge shuō huà suàn huà de rén, nǐ wánquán kěyǐ xiāngxìn tā.
  • English: He is a man of his word; you can completely trust him.
  • Analysis: This is a common way to describe someone's reliable character. The structure “是…的人” (is a … person) is used to define someone's nature.
• Example 2:
  • 你放心，我答应你的事，一定说话算话。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ fàngxīn, wǒ dāying nǐ de shì, yīdìng shuō huà suàn huà.
  • English: Don't worry, I will definitely keep my word about what I promised you.
  • Analysis: Here, the speaker is reassuring someone of their own integrity. “一定 (yīdìng)” emphasizes the certainty of their promise.
• Example 3:
  • 做生意，最重要的就是说话算话。
  • Pinyin: Zuò shēngyi, zuì zhòngyào de jiùshì shuō huà suàn huà.
  • English: In business, the most important thing is to be as good as your word.
  • Analysis: This sentence expresses a core business philosophy in Chinese culture, highlighting the importance of trustworthiness.
• Example 4:
  • 你上次说要请我吃饭，可别说话不算话啊！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ shàng cì shuō yào qǐng wǒ chīfàn, kě bié shuō huà bù suàn huà a!
  • English: You said you'd treat me to a meal last time, don't you go back on your word!
  • Analysis: This is a playful, informal use of the negative form 说话不算话 (shuō huà bù suàn huà) among friends. The “啊 (a)” particle softens the tone.
• Example 5:
  • 我们老板说话算话，说要发奖金，就真的发了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen lǎobǎn shuō huà suàn huà, shuō yào fā jiǎngjīn, jiù zhēn de fā le.
  • English: Our boss keeps his word; he said he would give out bonuses, and he really did.
  • Analysis: This example shows a direct cause-and-effect relationship. The boss said something, and because he is 说话算话, the action followed.
• Example 6:
  • 作为父母，我们必须在孩子面前说话算话。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi fùmǔ, wǒmen bìxū zài háizi miànqián shuō huà suàn huà.
  • English: As parents, we must keep our promises in front of our children.
  • Analysis: This highlights the role of 说话算话 in education and setting a good example for the next generation.
• Example 7:
  • 这家公司信誉很好，一直以来都说话算话。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī xìnyù hěn hǎo, yīzhí yǐlái dōu shuō huà suàn huà.
  • English: This company has a great reputation; they have always been true to their word.
  • Analysis: This connects the concept directly to a company's reputation (信誉 (xìnyù)).
• Example 8:
  • 你到底说话算话不算话？给我一个准话。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ dàodǐ shuō huà suàn huà bù suàn huà? Gěi wǒ yī ge zhǔn huà.
  • English: Are you going to keep your word or not? Give me a straight answer.
  • Analysis: This uses the “A-not-A” question form (算话不算话), demanding a clear commitment. It shows a tone of impatience or frustration.
• Example 9:
  • 我希望我们的合作伙伴是说话算话的。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xīwàng wǒmen de hézuò huǒbàn shì shuō huà suàn huà de.
  • English: I hope our partners are the type who keep their word.
  • Analysis: This expresses a key criterion for selecting business partners, framing 说话算话 as a desirable attribute.
• Example 10:
  • 他这个人最大的缺点就是说话不算话。
  • Pinyin: Tā zhè ge rén zuìdà de quēdiǎn jiùshì shuō huà bù suàn huà.
  • English: His biggest flaw is that he doesn't keep his promises.
  • Analysis: This shows how the negative form can be used as a strong character judgment, identifying a major personality flaw (缺点 (quēdiǎn)).

• Action, Not Just Intention: A common mistake for learners is to confuse 说话算话 with simply “being honest.” A person can honestly intend to do something but fail to follow through. In Chinese culture, this would still be considered 说话不算话 (not keeping one's word). The emphasis is on the result and the action, not just the initial sincerity.
• 说话算话 vs. 答应 (dāying):
  • 答应 (dāying) is the verb “to promise” or “to agree.” It's the act of making the commitment.
  • 说话算话 is the quality or character trait of *fulfilling* commitments.
  • You can 答应 to do something, but whether you are a person who 说话算话 determines if you actually do it.
  • Incorrect: 我说话算话去机场接你。 (I keep my word to pick you up at the airport.)
  • Correct: 我答应去机场接你，我一定会说话算话。 (I promised to pick you up at the airport, and I will definitely keep my word.)

• 一诺千金 (yī nuò qiān jīn) - “A single promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold.” A more literary and formal synonym emphasizing the immense value of a promise.
• 言而有信 (yán ér yǒu xìn) - “To have trust in one's words.” A formal, classical synonym rooted in Confucian philosophy.
• 守信用 (shǒu xìnyòng) - “To keep one's credit/trust.” Very similar in meaning, often used in business contexts to describe being a trustworthy entity.
• 出尔反尔 (chū ěr fǎn ěr) - “To go back on one's word; to contradict oneself.” A common antonym.
• 食言 (shí yán) - “To eat one's words.” A slightly more formal antonym for breaking a promise.
• 保证 (bǎozhèng) - To guarantee; to pledge. A verb for making a very strong promise or assurance.
• 答应 (dāying) - To promise; to agree. The verb for making a promise, which a 说话算话 person will then fulfill.
• 信任 (xìnrèn) - Trust; to trust. This is the result of someone consistently being 说话算话.
• 靠谱 (kàopǔ) - Reliable; dependable. A popular, slightly more colloquial term. A person who is 说话算话 is definitely 靠谱.