只可意会，不可言传 in English zhi3 ke3 yi4 hui4 , bu4 ke3 yan2 chuan2 Meaning

Meanings

  • can be understood, but not described (idiomatic expression, from Zhuangzi 莊子|庄子[Zhuang1 zi3]); mysterious and subtle

Simplified Characters

只 可 意 会 ， 不 可 言 传

Traditional Characters

只 可 意 會 ， 不 可 言 傳

Pinyin

zhi3 ke3 yi4 hui4 , bu4 ke3 yan2 chuan2

Literal

Literal explanation, with pronunciation and meaning of each character.

只zhi3only 可ke3can 意yi4Italy 会hui4can ， 不bu4(negative prefix) 可ke3can 言yan2words 传chuan2to pass on