弦外之音 Implied meaning
Explanation
弦外之音，指的是话语中蕴含的、没有直接表达出来的意思。它是一种含蓄的表达方式，需要听者仔细体会才能理解其深层含义。
The implication refers to the meaning implied but not explicitly stated in speech. It is a subtle expression that requires the listener to carefully understand to grasp its deeper meaning.
Origin Story
战国时期，有个名叫苏秦的人，他游说各国诸侯，希望能实现“合纵抗秦”的战略目标。一次，他去见魏王，魏王对他的说辞并不十分赞同，只是淡淡地说：“寡人已经听明白了你的意思。”苏秦知道魏王虽然说听明白了，但实际上并没有完全接受他的建议，于是便说：“大王明察秋毫，小人愚昧无知，不知大王还有何指示？”魏王笑着说：“先生不必担忧，寡人自有打算。”苏秦听出了魏王话语中的弦外之音，他知道魏王暂时不会采纳他的建议，于是便告辞离开了。后来，苏秦继续游说各国诸侯，最终促成了“合纵抗秦”的联盟，取得了显著的成就。这个故事说明，有时候，人们并非总是直接表达自己的真实想法，而是通过一些含蓄的语言来暗示，需要仔细聆听才能理解其中的深意。
During the Warring States period, there was a man named Su Qin who traveled to persuade various feudal lords to achieve the strategic goal of "Hezhong Against Qin". Once, he went to see King Wei, who was not very supportive of his argument and merely said faintly: "I have already understood your meaning."
Usage
用于比喻含蓄的表达，言外之意，多用于人际交往和文学作品中。
Used to describe subtle expressions, implied meanings, often in interpersonal communication and literary works.
Examples
-
他的话语中，充满了弦外之音，令人不得不细细揣摩。
tā de huàyǔ zhōng, chōngmǎn le xián wài zhī yīn, lìng rén bù dé bù xìxì chuāimó
His words were full of innuendo, making one have to ponder carefully.
-
领导虽然没有明说，但弦外之音已经很明显了，我们必须加快进度。
lǐngdǎo suīrán méiyǒu míng shuō, dàn xián wài zhī yīn yǐjīng hěn míngxiǎn le, wǒmen bìxū jiākuài jìndù
Although the leader didn't say it clearly, the implication was obvious: we have to speed up.
-
这首诗的弦外之音，表达了诗人对故土的思念之情。
zhè shǒu shī de xián wài zhī yīn, biǎodá le shī rén duì gù tǔ de sīniàn zhī qíng
The subtle message in this poem expresses the poet's longing for his homeland.