hau2 si6 sam1 fei1口是心非
Jyutpinghau2 si6 sam1 fei1
Yaleháu sih sām fēi
Definition
To say one thing but mean another; expressing thoughts contrary to one's true feelings.
colloquialpeopleemotion
How it's used
Although this is a four character idiom, it is frequently used in casual speech to describe someone who is insincere or manipulative. It carries a stronger sense of deliberate deception compared to simply being indecisive or shy. It is often paired with the phrase 講一套做一套 to emphasize the gap between a person's words and their actual behavior.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
to be a hypocritical person
don't be two-faced
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a verb phrase, but it functions as an adjective describing a person's character or a specific instance of behavior. Do not use it to describe a simple misunderstanding or a slip of the tongue, as it implies a conscious choice to hide one's true thoughts.
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.
