fan2 sik1 taai3 ping4粉飾太平粉饰太平
Jyutpingfan2 sik1 taai3 ping4
Yalefán sīk taai pìhng
Definition
To present a false picture of peace and harmony by covering up social turmoil, chaos, or corruption.
colloquialother
How it's used
This idiom carries a strong critical tone, often used to accuse those in power of ignoring systemic issues to maintain an appearance of stability. It suggests a deliberate act of deception rather than mere ignorance. While it sounds formal, it is frequently used in heated political discussions or social commentary to highlight hypocrisy.
Examples
They only know how to paint a false picture of peace, they haven't solved any problems at all.
The government is always covering up the truth, how could the citizens possibly trust them?
Related words
Common phrases
methods of painting a false picture of peace
politicians who paint a false picture of peace
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone just being optimistic or trying to cheer others up. It specifically implies a malicious or deceptive attempt to hide reality, making it inappropriate for casual or positive contexts.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
