rén人humanmiàn面faceshòu兽beastxīn心heart
A beast in human form; a cruel and treacherous person.
Literal meaning
human (人) — face (面) — beast (兽) — heart (心)
Origin
Describes someone who appears human but has the heart of a beast. A classical four-character phrase.
Examples
tā他biǎo表miàn面shàng上hěn很yǒu友shàn善，shí实jì际shang上què却shì是rén人miàn面shòu兽xīn心。
He appears friendly on the surface, but in reality, he is a beast in human form.
zhè这zhǒng种rén人miàn面shòu兽xīn心de的rén人yīng应gāi该shòu受dào到qiǎn谴zé责。
People like this, who are beasts in human form, should be condemned.
Usage & nuances
Strongly negative, used to condemn someone's cruelty and treachery.
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