hau2 mat6 fuk1 gim3口蜜腹劍口蜜腹剑
Jyutpinghau2 mat6 fuk1 gim3
Yaleháu maht fūk gim
Definition
Two-faced; honey-mouthed but dagger-hearted; outwardly sweet and complimentary but inwardly scheming and malicious.
neutralpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Originating from classical Chinese literature, this idiom is used to describe someone who is overtly sweet and flattering while harboring malicious intentions. It carries a strong negative moral judgment and is typically used to warn others about a person's untrustworthiness. Unlike casual slang, it retains a slightly formal or literary weight even when used in spoken Cantonese.
Examples
That person is two-faced, you really shouldn't trust him.
Why are you so two-faced, acting one way to someone's face and another behind their back?
Related words
Common phrases
to be a two-faced person
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a simple description of someone who is just a liar or a hypocrite. It specifically implies a calculated, predatory form of deceit where the person uses kindness as a weapon to harm someone later.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
