无可奉告

wú kě fèng gào

HSK 2.0 Level 6 Uncommon

Definitions

1. (idiom) \no comment\

Word relationships

Related words

4 items

• 无话可说 wú huà kě shuō 无话可说 wú huà kě shuō to have nothing to say (idiom) similar expression meaning 'have nothing to say', but not a set phrase for declining to comment: to have nothing to say (idiom)
• 不置可否 bù zhì kě fǒu 不置可否 bù zhì kě fǒu decline to comment refusing to express an opinion, similar dismissive tone: decline to comment
• 守口如瓶 shǒu kǒu rú píng 守口如瓶 shǒu kǒu rú píng lit. to guard one's mouth like a closed bottle (idiom); tight-lipped keeping one's mouth shut like a bottle, more about secrecy than declining to comment: lit. to guard one's mouth like a closed bottle (idiom); tight-lipped
• 免谈 miǎn tán 免谈 miǎn tán out of the question; pointless to discuss it brusque way to refuse discussion, 'no need to discuss': out of the question; pointless to discuss it

Usage notes

Common mistakes

Not used as a casual 'no comment' in everyday conversation; can sound overly stiff or ironic. Common error is using it in informal chats.

Formality

Highly formal and often used in official or journalistic contexts when declining to answer a question.

Example Sentences

1 shown

记者问他这个问题，他回答说：“ 无可奉告 。”

The reporter asked him this question, and he replied, "No comment."

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 无可奉告

• 可 可 kě: can
• 告 告 gào: to say
• 无 无 wú: not to have
• 奉 奉 fèng: to offer (tribute)
• 奉告 奉告 fèng gào: (honorific) to inform
• 无可 无可 wú kě: can't