jim2 ji5 dou6 ling4掩耳盜鈴掩耳盗铃
Jyutpingjim2 ji5 dou6 ling4
Yaleyím yíh douh lìhng
Definition
To deceive oneself in trying to deceive others; covering one's ears to steal a bell.
neutralother
How it's used
This idiom describes a situation where someone ignores obvious facts or reality to maintain a false sense of security. It is frequently used to criticize people who refuse to face the truth or who believe their transparent lies are convincing to others. The imagery of covering one's ears to steal a bell highlights the absurdity of thinking that because one cannot hear or see a problem, others cannot either.
Examples
He thinks he can fool people, but he is actually just deceiving himself.
Related words
Common phrases
simply pure self-deception
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a simple way to say someone is lying, but it specifically emphasizes self-deception rather than just the act of deceiving someone else. It implies that the person is the primary victim of their own delusion.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
Particle
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
