口是心非
kǒu shì xīn fēi
Verbal hypocrisy
Describes someone who says one thing but thinks or intends the opposite. It highlights a discrepancy between a person's spoken words and their true inner feelings or intentions. This often implies insincerity or deceit.
What does 口是心非 (kǒu shì xīn fēi) mean?
口是心非 (kǒu shì xīn fēi) means "verbal hypocrisy" in English. Word for word, it breaks down as "mouth is heart not."
Character by character
- 口 kǒu mouth
- 是 shì is
- 心 xīn heart
- 非 fēi not
When to use it
Use this idiom to criticize people who are insincere or hypocritical, especially when their words are meant to mislead or flatter while their true thoughts are negative. It applies to situations where there's a clear mismatch between outward expression and inner conviction.
Example
他们都随便应付客人,经常口是心非,你可别上当了。
Tāmen dōu suíbiàn yìngfu kèrén, jīngcháng kǒu shì xīn fēi, nǐ kěbié shàngdàng le.
They all deal with customers perfunctorily and are often insincere, so don't fall for their tricks.
Pro tip: The idiom specifically points to a conflict between spoken words and internal thoughts, not just any inconsistency in actions. It implies a deliberate act of concealing one's true feelings.
Related idioms
举一反三 · Inferring from one example开门见山 · Direct to the point乐于助人 · Joy in helping others
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