只可意会，不可言传 zhǐ kě yì huì ， bù kě yán chuán

DEFINITIONS

  1. can be understood, but not described (idiom, from Zhuangzi 莊子|庄子); mysterious and subtle

CHARACTERS

只 zhǐ
HSK 3
only, just, simply
可 kě
HSK 2
may, can, -able; possibly
意 yì
HSK 2
thought, idea, opinion; think
会 huì
HSK 1
assemble, meet together; meeting
不 bù
HSK 1
no, not; un-; negative prefix
可 kě
HSK 2
may, can, -able; possibly
言 yán
HSK 4
words, speech; speak, say
传 chuán
HSK 4
summon; propagate, transmit