shuōhuà bùsuàn shù: 说话不算数 - To Not Keep One's Word, To Go Back on a Promise

• Keywords: shuohua busuan shu, 说话不算数, what does shuohua busuan shu mean, Chinese for not keeping a promise, unreliable in Chinese, break a promise Chinese, Chinese culture trust, Chinese idiom for liar.
• Summary: Learn the meaning of 说话不算数 (shuōhuà bùsuàn shù), a common and important Chinese phrase for describing someone who doesn't keep their word or goes back on a promise. This guide explores what shuohua busuan shu means in both daily conversation and business, its cultural significance related to trust and reputation in China, and how to use it correctly. Understand why being described as unreliable in Chinese is a serious criticism and avoid the common pitfalls of breaking a promise in Chinese culture.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): shuōhuà bùsuàn shù
• Part of Speech: Verb Phrase / Idiom
• HSK Level: N/A (but highly common in daily conversation)
• Concise Definition: To fail to do what one has promised; to not keep one's word.
• In a Nutshell: This phrase literally translates to “spoken words don't count.” It's a direct and often critical way to say someone is unreliable and their promises are worthless. It's used when someone explicitly agrees to do something but then fails to follow through, breaking a verbal commitment. The feeling is one of disappointment, frustration, or even accusation.

• 说 (shuō): To speak, say.
• 话 (huà): Word, speech, talk.
• 不 (bù): Not, no. The classic negative particle.
• 算 (suàn): To count, to calculate, to be considered as.
• 数 (shù): Number, to count.

The phrase is constructed very logically. 说话 (shuōhuà) means “to speak” or “the words that were spoken.” 不算数 (bùsuàn shù) literally means “doesn't count as a number,” which idiomatically translates to “doesn't count,” “is not valid,” or “doesn't hold.” Together, 说话不算数 (shuōhuà bùsuàn shù) means “what was said doesn't count”—a straightforward way to say a promise has been broken.

In Chinese culture, a person's word is deeply connected to their honor, integrity, and social standing. The concept of 信 (xìn) - which translates to trust, credibility, and faithfulness - is a cornerstone of Confucian values. To be a trustworthy person (守信用 - shǒu xìnyòng) is a highly respected trait. Therefore, being accused of 说话不算数 is not just a casual complaint; it's a serious critique of one's character. It implies a lack of integrity and can significantly damage one's 面子 (miànzi), or “face.” A useful Western parallel is the phrase “actions speak louder than words.” However, there's a key difference. The Western phrase emphasizes that actions are *more important* than words. 说话不算数 focuses on the failure of the words themselves—the promise was made, and the words proved to be empty. In many social and even business contexts in China, a verbal commitment is taken very seriously, summed up by the idiom 一诺千金 (yí nuò qiān jīn) — “one promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold.” To go back on that promise is a major social transgression.

This phrase is extremely common in everyday life. Its severity depends heavily on the tone and context.

• Informal/Friendly Contexts: Among friends or family, it can be used in a lighthearted, chiding way. For example, if a friend promises to call but forgets, you might say it with a laugh. However, even here, it can be a serious complaint if the broken promise was important.
• Serious Accusations: In business or more formal relationships, saying someone 说话不算数 is a very strong accusation. It implies they are untrustworthy and dishonest, which can severely damage or even end a professional relationship. It's often used out of frustration when a partner backs out of a verbal agreement.
• General Complaints: People use it to complain about anyone who fails to deliver on a promise—a boss who doesn't give a promised raise, a company that doesn't honor its warranty, or a public figure who breaks a campaign promise. It's a versatile phrase for expressing disappointment in someone's lack of reliability.

• Example 1:
  • 你答应了要帮我的，可不能说话不算数啊！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ dāyìng le yào bāng wǒ de, kě bùnéng shuōhuà bùsuàn shù a!
  • English: You promised you would help me, you can't go back on your word!
  • Analysis: This is a direct, informal reminder or complaint. The final particle “啊 (a)” softens the tone slightly, making it sound more like a plea than a harsh accusation.
• Example 2:
  • 他这个人总是说话不算数，以后别信他了。
  • Pinyin: Tā zhè ge rén zǒngshì shuōhuà bùsuàn shù, yǐhòu bié xìn tā le.
  • English: That guy never keeps his word, don't trust him in the future.
  • Analysis: A straightforward statement describing someone's character as unreliable. This is used when talking about a third person.
• Example 3:
  • 爸爸，你上次说好带我去公园的，你说话不算数！
  • Pinyin: Bàba, nǐ shàng cì shuō hǎo dài wǒ qù gōngyuán de, nǐ shuōhuà bùsuàn shù!
  • English: Dad, last time you promised to take me to the park, you broke your promise!
  • Analysis: A classic example of a child complaining to a parent. It shows how fundamental the concept is, even for children.
• Example 4:
  • 在生意上，最重要的是信用。如果说话不算数，就没人愿意跟你合作了。
  • Pinyin: Zài shēngyì shàng, zuì zhòngyào de shì xìnyòng. Rúguǒ shuōhuà bùsuàn shù, jiù méi rén yuànyì gēn nǐ hézuò le.
  • English: In business, credibility is the most important thing. If you don't keep your word, no one will want to cooperate with you.
  • Analysis: This sentence explains the consequences of being unreliable in a professional context. It's a general statement of principle.
• Example 5:
  • 我不是说话不算数的人，我说了会还你钱，就一定会还。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ bùshì shuōhuà bùsuàn shù de rén, wǒ shuō le huì huán nǐ qián, jiù yīdìng huì huán.
  • English: I'm not the kind of person who goes back on their word. If I said I'll pay you back, I definitely will.
  • Analysis: Here, the phrase is used in the negative to defend one's own character and reassure someone else.
• Example 6:
  • 这家公司服务太差了，保证了三天内送达，结果一周了还没到，完全是说话不算数。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī fúwù tài chà le, bǎozhèng le sān tiān nèi sòngdá, jiéguǒ yī zhōu le hái méi dào, wánquán shì shuōhuà bùsuàn shù.
  • English: This company's service is terrible. They guaranteed delivery within three days, but it's been a week and it's still not here. They totally don't keep their promises.
  • Analysis: A common way to complain about a business or service that fails to meet its commitments.
• Example 7:
  • 你是不是想说话不算数？我们当时可都说好了的。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ shì bùshì xiǎng shuōhuà bùsuàn shù? Wǒmen dāngshí kě dōu shuō hǎo le de.
  • English: Are you trying to go back on your word? We already agreed on everything back then.
  • Analysis: Using the phrase in a question format. It's confrontational and seeks to confirm if the other person is intending to break the agreement.
• Example 8:
  • 做人要诚实，不能说话不算数。
  • Pinyin: Zuòrén yào chéngshí, bùnéng shuōhuà bùsuàn shù.
  • English: One should be honest and not go back on one's word.
  • Analysis: A simple, moralistic statement, like something a parent or teacher would say. It frames keeping one's word as a fundamental principle of being a good person.
• Example 9:
  • 他向女朋友保证再也不玩游戏了，但第二天又开始玩了，真是说话不算数。
  • Pinyin: Tā xiàng nǚpéngyǒu bǎozhèng zài yě bù wán yóuxì le, dàn dì èr tiān yòu kāishǐ wán le, zhēnshi shuōhuà bùsuàn shù.
  • English: He promised his girlfriend he would stop playing games, but he started playing again the next day. He really doesn't keep his word.
  • Analysis: Shows a very common scenario in personal relationships where promises are made and broken.
• Example 10:
  • 你放心，我李明说话向来算数！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ fàngxīn, wǒ Lǐ Míng shuōhuà xiànglái suànshù!
  • English: Don't worry, I, Li Ming, always keep my word!
  • Analysis: This is an interesting variation. By removing “不 (bù)”, the phrase becomes 说话算数 (shuōhuà suànshù), which means “to keep one's word” or “to be trustworthy.” It's a strong statement of personal integrity.

• Not for Misunderstandings: Don't use 说话不算数 for a simple miscommunication. It specifically implies a clear promise was made and then intentionally or negligently broken. If you thought the meeting was at 3 PM and your friend thought it was at 2 PM, that's a misunderstanding (误会 - wùhuì), not someone 说话不算数.
• Severity: Be careful using this in formal or new relationships. It's a direct accusation. Unless you are prepared for a confrontation, you might choose a softer way to express your disappointment, like: “我以为我们说好了…” (Wǒ yǐwéi wǒmen shuō hǎo le… - “I thought we had an agreement…”).
• “Lying” vs. “Breaking a Promise”: This phrase is different from 说谎 (shuōhuǎng), which means “to lie.” A lie is a statement that is false at the moment it is spoken. 说话不算数 is about failing to follow through on a future action that was promised. Someone could sincerely promise to help you (not lying) but later fail to do so for whatever reason (thus, 说话不算数).

• 言而无信 (yán ér wú xìn) - A more formal, literary synonym meaning “to go back on one's word.” (Literally: “to speak but have no faith/trust.”)
• 出尔反尔 (chū ěr fǎn ěr) - To contradict oneself; to go back on one's word, often repeatedly. Describes someone who is fickle and unreliable.
• 食言 (shíyán) - A literary synonym that literally means “to eat one's words.” It means to break a promise.
• 一诺千金 (yí nuò qiān jīn) - Antonym. “A single promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold.” Describes a person or a promise of utmost reliability.
• 守信用 (shǒu xìnyòng) - Antonym. To be trustworthy; to keep one's promises. (Literally: “to guard one's credit/trust.”)
• 说话算数 (shuōhuà suànshù) - Antonym. The positive form of the main term, meaning “to keep one's word.”
• 说谎 (shuōhuǎng) - A related but distinct concept: to tell a lie.
• 信 (xìn) - The core cultural value of trust, faith, and credibility that underpins this whole concept.
• 面子 (miànzi) - “Face” or social reputation, which is severely damaged when a person is known for being 说话不算数.