言外之意 Unspoken meaning
Explanation
指话语中虽未明确表达，但可以体会到的意思。
Refers to the meaning that can be understood although not clearly stated in words.
Origin Story
从前，有两个好朋友，一个叫小明，一个叫小红。一天，小明去小红家做客，小红妈妈做了一桌子好菜。小明吃得很开心，临走时，小红妈妈说：“下次再来玩啊，家里还有好多好吃的呢！”小明听出了言外之意，知道小红妈妈很欢迎他再来做客。他还感受到小红妈妈对他的关心和爱护。
Once upon a time, there were two good friends, one named Xiaoming and the other Xiaohong. One day, Xiaoming went to Xiaohong's house as a guest, and Xiaohong's mother prepared a table full of delicious food. Xiaoming had a very happy time, and when he was about to leave, Xiaohong's mother said, "Come and play again next time! There's so much more delicious food at home!" Xiaoming understood the unspoken meaning, knowing that Xiaohong's mother was very welcome him to come again. He also felt Xiaohong's mother's care and love for him.
Usage
常用于形容说话含蓄、委婉，意思不在字面，而在字里行间。
Often used to describe implicit and indirect speech, meaning not on the surface, but between the lines.
Examples
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他话里话外地暗示着什么，言外之意是想让我帮忙。
tā huà lǐ huà wài de yìnshì zhe shénme, yán wài zhī yì shì xiǎng ràng wǒ bāngmáng.
He hinted at something implicitly, meaning that he wanted me to help.
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领导虽然没有明说，但言外之意是希望我们加班完成任务。
lǐngdǎo suīrán méiyǒu míng shuō, dàn yán wài zhī yì shì xīwàng wǒmen jiābān wánchéng rènwù。
Although the leader didn't say it clearly, his implied meaning was that we should work overtime to complete the task。