kǒu口mouthshì是isxīn心heartfēi非not
Saying one thing but meaning another; duplicity.
Literal meaning
mouth (口) — is (是) — heart (心) — not (非)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase describing hypocrisy.
Examples
tā他zǒng总shì是kǒu口shì是xīn心fēi非，ràng让rén人hěn很nán难xiāng相xìn信tā他。
He is always saying one thing and meaning another, making it hard to trust him.
bù不yào要kǒu口shì是xīn心fēi非，chéng诚shí实de地biǎo表dá达nǐ你de的gǎn感shòu受。
Don't be duplicitous; express your feelings honestly.
Usage & nuances
Often used to describe someone who is being insincere or hypocritical.
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