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kǒu 口 shì 是 xīn 心 fēi 非

口是心非 kǒu shì xīn fēi

to say one thing and mean another; insincere

Literally: mouth yes heart no

Intermediate 💬 Speech & communication
🃏 Practise intermediate chengyu

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Origin

From Ge Hong's Baopuzi (Jin dynasty), which lists 'yes in the mouth, no in the heart' among the faults that shorten one's life.

How to use it

Predicate or attributive; negative. Often 口是心非的人.

Example sentences

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  1. 她嘴上说不在乎，其实是口是心非。
    Tā zuǐ shàng shuō bù zàihu, qíshí shì kǒu shì xīn fēi.
    She says she doesn't care, but really she means the opposite.
    she mouth on say not care, actually is mouth yes heart no
  2. 我最讨厌口是心非的人，有话直说多好。
    Wǒ zuì tǎoyàn kǒu shì xīn fēi de rén, yǒu huà zhí shuō duō hǎo.
    I can't stand people who say one thing and mean another; how much better to speak plainly.
    I most dislike mouth yes heart no (particle) person, have word straight say how good

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