fat6 hau2 se4 sam1佛口蛇心
Jyutpingfat6 hau2 se4 sam1
Yalefaht háu sèh sām
Definition
Hypocritical; kind in words but vicious on the inside, like a wolf in sheep's clothing.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This idiom is used to describe someone who projects a gentle or pious image through their speech while harboring malicious intentions. It carries a strong sense of moral condemnation and is typically used to warn others about a person's true character. Unlike simply calling someone a liar, this phrase specifically highlights the contrast between the outward appearance of kindness and the inner reality of cruelty.
Examples
He is a hypocrite, so please do not trust him.
How do you know that he is a wolf in sheep's clothing?
Related words
Common phrases
to be a hypocritical person
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
