空口白话 empty talk
Explanation
指说话不算数，没有实际行动或依据。
Refers to promises that are not kept or claims without evidence.
Origin Story
从前，有个名叫阿牛的农夫，他勤劳善良，但有些好夸海口。村里要修水渠，阿牛拍着胸脯保证，自己能独自完成。村民们起初很高兴，但日子一天天过去，水渠却毫无进展。阿牛每天说的都是些空口白话，没有一丝实际行动。最终，水渠还是由其他村民共同努力才完成的。大家对阿牛的空口白话很失望，从此对他少了些信任。这个故事告诉我们，空口白话并不能解决实际问题，只有脚踏实地才能获得成功。
Once upon a time, there was a farmer named An Niu, who was diligent and kind but also prone to boasting. When the village needed an irrigation ditch built, An Niu patted his chest and guaranteed he could complete it alone. The villagers were initially pleased, but as the days went by, the ditch remained unfinished. An Niu only spoke empty words and took no concrete action. Eventually, the ditch was finished through the combined efforts of other villagers. They were disappointed by An Niu's empty promises and trusted him less thereafter. This story teaches us that empty words don't solve real problems; hard work brings success.
Usage
用于批评说话不负责任，没有实际行动的人。
Used to criticize people who speak irresponsibly and take no action.
Examples
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他夸下海口说能解决问题，结果却只是空口白话。
tā kuàxià hǎikǒu shuō néng jiějué wèntí, jiéguǒ què zhǐshì kōngkǒu báishuà
He boasted that he could solve the problem, but it turned out to be all empty talk.
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空口白话是解决不了问题的，我们需要实际行动。
kōngkǒubáishuà shì jiějué bùliǎo wèntí de, wǒmen xūyào shíjì xíngdòng
Empty words won't solve the problem; we need concrete actions.