what's frequently heard can be repeated in detail (idiom)
HSK 7, unknown, rank #36763, Very Hard
ěrshúnéngxiáng(er3shu2neng2xiang2) T3
1what's frequently heard can be repeated in detail (idiom)
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March 24, 2026
耳熟能详(耳熟能詳)ěrshúnéngxiáng(er3shu2neng2xiang2)
耳熟能详 is an idiom that means something is so familiar that one can recount it in detail. It is often used to describe knowledge or stories that have been heard frequently, making them easy to remember and articulate.
Frequency#36763DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, storytelling is a valued tradition, often used in teaching and preserving history. The ability to recount familiar tales is seen as a sign of wisdom and social skill.
Memory Tip
Imagine an 'ear' (耳) that becomes 'familiar' (熟) with the stories it hears, allowing it to 'speak' (详) them back fluently. Picture a person listening intently to a story, and later at a gathering, they can retell it perfectly, impressing everyone with their memory.
Meanings of 耳熟能详
ěrshúnéngxiáng(er3shu2neng2xiang2)
1what's frequently heard can be repeated in detail (idiom)
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About 耳熟能详
耳熟能详Simplified
耳熟能詳Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 耳熟能详
Podcast: 耳熟能详
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AI Study Notes for 耳熟能详
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine an 'ear' (耳) that becomes 'familiar' (熟) with the stories it hears, allowing it to 'speak' (详) them back fluently. Picture a person listening intently to a story, and later at a gathering, they can retell it perfectly, impressing everyone with their memory.
Usage Notes
This idiom is often used in conversational contexts, so it's considered informal. Be careful to use it only in situations where familiarity with the subject is clear; saying it about something that hasn't been heard much can confuse listeners.
HSK Study Tips
While this idiom may not appear in HSK vocabulary lists, it connects well with HSK Level 4 words related to memory and storytelling. Students should focus on understanding idiomatic expressions and how they enhance fluency.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, storytelling is a valued tradition, often used in teaching and preserving history. The ability to recount familiar tales is seen as a sign of wisdom and social skill.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 耳熟能详 with other idioms that signify familiarity but lack the detail aspect. For example, saying '我耳熟' (I am familiar) is incorrect when trying to express the detailed recall aspect; the full idiom must be used.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 耳熟能详
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Cultural Notes for 耳熟能详
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, storytelling is a valued tradition, often used in teaching and preserving history. The ability to recount familiar tales is seen as a sign of wisdom and social skill.
Frequently Asked Questions about 耳熟能详
No, this idiom specifically implies that something has been heard frequently enough to be well-remembered.
It's generally more suitable for informal conversation rather than formal writing.
A similar phrase is '耳熟' which means 'familiar' but does not emphasize the ability to recount details.
