字面直译是“不用去说”,实际表示“某事非常明显、不言而喻、理所当然”(相当于“it's obvious/clear that...”或“needless to say”)。
该短语最常用的结构是形式主语 "It" 开头,即:
(“不言而喻的是……;显然……;不消说……”)
It goes without saying that honesty is important in a relationship.
(不言而喻,诚实是一段关系的关键。)
It goes without saying that we should wear masks in crowded places during a pandemic.
(显然,疫情期间在人群密集处我们应该戴口罩。)
当主语是具体的“常识/常理/理所当然的事”时,也可直接用“sth goes without saying”:
Respect for elders goes without saying in many cultures.
(在许多文化中,尊重长辈是理所当然的。)
Safety goes without saying when operating heavy machinery.
(操作重型机械时,安全是无需多言的(首要原则)。)
过去时:It went without saying that he would win the race—he’d trained so hard.
(当时不言而喻,他会赢下比赛——他训练得太刻苦了。)
将来时(较少用):It will go without saying that technology will shape our future.
(未来显然,科技会塑造我们的生活。)
It’s obvious that...(显然……)
Needless to say...(不消说……)
It’s a given that...(这是既定事实……)
It goes without saying ≈ It’s self-evident that...(这是不言自明的……)
"go without saying" 是强调“常识性、无需解释”的高频短语,核心用在“大家都明白、不用额外说明”的场景,最常见的结构是 "It goes without saying that + 从句",适合口语和书面语。