wěijūnzǐ: 伪君子 - Hypocrite, Sanctimonious Person

• Keywords: 伪君子, weijunzi, Chinese hypocrite, what is a weijunzi, meaning of 伪君子, fake gentleman Chinese, 君子, Confucianism, sanctimonious, two-faced, Chinese culture, Chinese insults.
• Summary: The Chinese term 伪君子 (wěijūnzǐ) literally translates to “fake gentleman” and is the perfect word for a hypocrite. It describes someone who puts on a public facade of high morality, virtue, and righteousness—like the Confucian ideal of a “君子 (jūnzǐ)“—but is privately selfish, immoral, or has hidden malicious intentions. Understanding this powerful term offers deep insight into Chinese cultural values surrounding authenticity, morality, and social reputation.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): wěi jūn zǐ
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: A hypocrite; a person who feigns virtue and morality.
• In a Nutshell: Imagine someone who constantly preaches about honesty, integrity, and charity, but you know they secretly lie, cheat, and only care about themselves. That person is a classic 伪君子 (wěijūnzǐ). The term carries a strong negative and judgmental weight, combining the idea of “fake” (伪) with the revered Confucian ideal of a “gentleman” or “noble person” (君子), making it a powerful insult for someone who is a “wolf in sheep's clothing.”

• 伪 (wěi): This character means “fake,” “false,” or “pseudo.” It's composed of the “person” radical (亻) on the left and the character 为 (wéi) on the right. You can think of it as a “person” (人) “acting” (为) in a false or artificial way.
• 君 (jūn): This character originally symbolized a ruler or lord. In Confucian philosophy, it evolved to mean a “gentleman” or a “superior man”—an ideal person of high moral standing, integrity, and wisdom.
• 子 (zǐ): Originally meaning “child” or “son,” this character is often used as a respectful suffix for people, particularly masters or scholars (e.g., 孔子 Kǒngzǐ, Confucius). It combines with 君 to form the established and respected concept of 君子 (jūnzǐ).

Putting it all together, 伪君子 (wěijūnzǐ) literally means “fake” (伪) + “gentleman” (君子). The word's power comes from this direct and damning combination, painting a picture of someone who perverts a deeply respected cultural ideal for their own selfish ends.

The concept of the 伪君子 (wěijūnzǐ) is deeply rooted in Confucian ethics, which have shaped Chinese society for centuries. In Confucianism, the 君子 (jūnzǐ) is the model human being—someone who is righteous (义, yì), benevolent (仁, rén), trustworthy (信, xìn), and sincere (诚, chéng). A person's ultimate goal was to cultivate these virtues and become a 君子. A 伪君子 is therefore not just a simple liar; they are a profound moral failure. They understand the rules of virtue and the social respect it commands, but they cynically wear it as a mask to hide their true, base nature (often described as that of a 小人, xiǎorén - a petty person). Comparison with Western Culture: The English word “hypocrite” is a very close translation. However, 伪君子 often feels more potent in a Chinese context because it directly defiles a core cultural archetype. It's more specific and damning than just “hypocrite.” A good analogy would be calling someone a “counterfeit knight” in a culture that deeply revered the chivalric code. It’s not just an accusation of doing something wrong; it’s an accusation of corrupting something sacred. This makes it a particularly stinging insult.

伪君子 is a powerful and exclusively negative term. You would never use it lightly.

• In Media: It's a very common trope in Chinese movies, TV dramas (especially historical and palace dramas), and literature to describe a cunning villain who appears charming and righteous at first but is later revealed to be manipulative and cruel.
• In Social Commentary: The term is frequently used on social media and in news commentary to criticize public figures, celebrities, or politicians who are caught in scandals that contradict their carefully crafted public image.
• In Personal Relationships: Calling someone a 伪君子 is a serious accusation. You might say it about a colleague who sabotages others while acting friendly, or an acquaintance who preaches loyalty but is deeply untrustworthy. It implies that their hypocrisy is not a one-time act, but a fundamental part of their character. It's a word used to express deep disappointment and contempt.

• Example 1:
  • 他表面上是个正人君子，实际上是个伪君子。
  • Pinyin: Tā biǎomiàn shàng shì ge zhèngrén jūnzǐ, shíjì shàng shì ge wěijūnzǐ.
  • English: On the surface, he's an upright gentleman, but in reality, he's a hypocrite.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses the common structure “on the surface… in reality…” to highlight the contrast that is central to the meaning of 伪君子.
• Example 2:
  • 我宁愿当一个真小人，也不想当一个伪君子。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ nìngyuàn dāng yī ge zhēn xiǎorén, yě bù xiǎng dāng yī ge wěijūnzǐ.
  • English: I would rather be a true villain than a fake gentleman (hypocrite).
  • Analysis: This is a famous and powerful saying in Chinese culture. It expresses the idea that being openly and honestly a “bad person” (真小人) is preferable to the deception and moral corruption of pretending to be good.
• Example 3:
  • 别被他的花言巧语骗了，他就是个十足的伪君子。
  • Pinyin: Bié bèi tā de huā yán qiǎo yǔ piàn le, tā jiù shì ge shízú de wěijūnzǐ.
  • English: Don't be fooled by his slick talk; he's a total hypocrite.
  • Analysis: Here, 十足的 (shízú de) means “out-and-out” or “100%,” adding emphasis to the accusation.
• Example 4:
  • 那个道貌岸然的家伙，原来是个伪君子！
  • Pinyin: Nàge dàomào'ànrán de jiāhuo, yuánlái shì ge wěijūnzǐ!
  • English: That sanctimonious guy turned out to be a hypocrite!
  • Analysis: This sentence pairs 伪君子 with the idiom 道貌岸然 (dàomào'ànrán), which vividly describes the “holier-than-thou” appearance of a hypocrite.
• Example 5:
  • 随着调查的深入，这位慈善家的伪君子面目暴露无遗。
  • Pinyin: Suízhe diàochá de shēnrù, zhè wèi císhànjiā de wěijūnzǐ miànmù bàolù wú yí.
  • English: As the investigation deepened, the philanthropist's hypocritical nature was completely exposed.
  • Analysis: This shows how the term is used in more formal contexts, like news reports. 面目 (miànmù) means “face” or “true colors.”
• Example 6:
  • 我最讨厌的就是那种笑里藏刀的伪君子。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zuì tǎoyàn de jiùshì nà zhǒng xiào lǐ cáng dāo de wěijūnzǐ.
  • English: The thing I hate most is that kind of hypocrite who hides a dagger behind his smile.
  • Analysis: This sentence links 伪君子 with another famous idiom, 笑里藏刀 (xiào lǐ cáng dāo), which describes the dangerous nature of such a person.
• Example 7:
  • 他总是把仁义道德挂在嘴边，其实是为了自己的利益，真是个伪君子。
  • Pinyin: Tā zǒngshì bǎ rényì dàodé guà zài zuǐbiān, qíshí shì wèile zìjǐ de lìyì, zhēnshì ge wěijūnzǐ.
  • English: He always talks about benevolence and morality, but it's actually for his own benefit—he's truly a hypocrite.
  • Analysis: This sentence explains the *motive* behind the hypocrisy: personal gain (为了自己的利益).
• Example 8:
  • 你怎么能相信他？圈子里的人都知道他是个伪君子。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ zěnme néng xiāngxìn tā? Quānzi lǐ de rén dōu zhīdào tā shì ge wěijūnzǐ.
  • English: How can you believe him? Everyone in our circle knows he's a hypocrite.
  • Analysis: This shows how the term can be used to describe someone's reputation within a specific social group (圈子, quānzi).
• Example 9:
  • 历史会记住这些窃取国家财富的伪君子。
  • Pinyin: Lìshǐ huì jìzhù zhèxiē qièqǔ guójiā cáifù de wěijūnzǐ.
  • English: History will remember these hypocrites who stole the nation's wealth.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the use of the term on a grander, historical scale, often applied to corrupt officials or leaders.
• Example 10:
  • 揭穿一个伪君子的真面目，需要勇气和证据。
  • Pinyin: Jiēchuān yī ge wěijūnzǐ de zhēn miànmù, xūyào yǒngqì hé zhèngjù.
  • English: Exposing a hypocrite's true colors requires courage and evidence.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the difficulty and social risk involved in challenging someone who has successfully built a virtuous public persona.

• Not a Mild Criticism: The most common mistake for learners is underestimating the severity of this term. Calling someone a 伪君子 is not like saying they are “a bit two-faced.” It is a strong condemnation of their entire character. Use it with caution.
• Difference from a Liar (骗子, piànzi): A 骗子 (piànzi) is a swindler or con-artist who lies for a specific, often material, goal. A 伪君子's deception is more profound; they construct an entire false persona of morality to manipulate people and gain social standing. The hypocrisy is their way of life.
• Difference from a “Two-Faced Person” (两面派, liǎngmiànpài): While all 伪君子 are 两面派 (two-faced), not all 两面派 are 伪君子. A 两面派 might simply be someone who says one thing to one person and another thing to someone else to avoid conflict. A 伪君子 specifically fakes high moral character. The pretense of virtue is the key ingredient.

• 君子 (jūnzǐ): The direct antonym. The Confucian ideal of a noble, moral, and superior person.
• 小人 (xiǎorén): The opposite of a 君子. A petty, base, or vile person. A 伪君子 is essentially a 小人 pretending to be a 君子.
• 真小人 (zhēn xiǎorén): A “true petty person” or “honest scoundrel.” Someone who is openly bad, often seen as preferable to a 伪君子.
• 道貌岸然 (dàomào'ànrán): A chengyu (idiom) meaning “sanctimonious” or “feigning piety.” It perfectly describes the appearance of a 伪君子.
• 笑里藏刀 (xiào lǐ cáng dāo): A chengyu meaning “a dagger hidden behind a smile.” Describes the dangerous method of a 伪君子.
• 两面派 (liǎngmiànpài): A “two-faced person.” A close synonym, but less specific about the pretense of morality.
• 虚伪 (xūwěi): The adjective for “hypocritical” or “false.” You can say a person 是很虚伪的 (shì hěn xūwěi de). 伪君子 is the noun for the person themselves.
• 正人君子 (zhèngrén jūnzǐ): An “upright and noble man.” This is the real deal, the ideal that the 伪君子 imitates. It can also be used sarcastically to refer to a hypocrite.