HSK 7-9
谈何……
tán hé...
How can one talk about...; easier said than done
Structure
谈何 + [Noun / Verb Phrase] (usually two characters or more)
How it works
The structure '谈何……' is a formal rhetorical expression used to indicate that something is extremely difficult or nearly impossible to achieve. It functions similarly to 'how can one speak of...' or 'easier said than done,' emphasizing that the necessary conditions for a certain outcome are not met.
Examples
如果没有雄厚的资金支持，研发创新谈何容易？
Rúguǒ méiyǒu xiónghòu de zījīn zhīchí, yánfā chuàngxīn tánhé róngyì?
Without strong financial support, how can research and innovation be easy?
连最基本的身心健康都保证不了，谈何事业成功？
Lián zuì jīběn de shēnxīn jiànkāng dōu bǎozhèng bùliǎo, tánhé shìyè chénggōng?
If you can't even guarantee basic physical and mental health, how can you talk about career success?
在这个竞争激烈的市场中，想要脱颖而出谈何容易。
Zài zhège jìngzhēng jīliè de shìchǎng zhōng, xiǎngyào tuōyǐng'érchū tánhé róngyì.
In this fiercely competitive market, wanting to stand out is easier said than done.
Common mistakes
Users often treat '谈何' as a simple question about 'how to talk,' but it is actually a rhetorical device used to deny the possibility of the following word.
Tip
The most common collocation is '谈何容易' (easier said than done). Memorizing this four-character idiom will help you understand the tone of the grammar point in more complex sentences.
More HSK 7-9 grammar
See 谈何…… in real Chinese
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