jin4 hang4 bat1 jat1言行不一
Jyutpingjin4 hang4 bat1 jat1
Yaleyìhn hàhng bāt yāt
Definition
To say one thing and do another; one's actions do not match one's words.
neutralpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This idiom is used to criticize someone whose behavior contradicts their stated principles or promises. It carries a strong sense of moral disapproval and is often used in more serious or formal contexts despite being a four-character idiom. Unlike casual complaints about someone being unreliable, this term specifically highlights the hypocrisy between what is spoken and what is actually performed.
Examples
He is always saying one thing and doing another, just talking for the sake of it.
Don't be inconsistent in your words and actions; if you promised, you must do it.
Related words
Common phrases
to criticize someone for being inconsistent
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a simple adjective describing someone who is forgetful or disorganized, but it specifically implies a lack of integrity or hypocrisy. It is not used to describe someone who simply changes their mind due to new information.
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.
