biǎolǐbùyī: 表里不一 - Two-faced, Duplicitous, Inconsistent

• Keywords: biao li bu yi, 表里不一 meaning, Chinese idiom for two-faced, duplicitous in Chinese, insincere, hypocritical, Chinese chengyu, say one thing and do another, inconsistent words and actions, Chinese culture authenticity
• Summary: 表里不一 (biǎo lǐ bù yī) is a fundamental Chinese idiom (chengyu) that describes someone who is two-faced, duplicitous, or whose outward appearance and words are inconsistent with their inner thoughts and actions. Literally meaning “surface and inside are not one,” it points to a lack of sincerity and integrity, a highly criticized trait in Chinese culture. Understanding this term is key to navigating social and professional relationships and appreciating the cultural value placed on authenticity.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): biǎo lǐ bù yī
• Part of Speech: Idiom (Chengyu), Adjective
• HSK Level: N/A (Widely used, but not on a specific HSK list. Characters are HSK 3-4 level.)
• Concise Definition: The exterior and the interior are not the same; one's actions do not match one's words or thoughts.
• In a Nutshell: Imagine a beautifully wrapped gift box that contains nothing but garbage. That's the feeling of 表里不一. It's used to criticize someone whose friendly smile (the “surface,” 表) hides selfish intentions (the “inside,” 里). They say one thing but mean or do another, making them untrustworthy. It's a strong accusation of being fake, phony, or a hypocrite.

• 表 (biǎo): Surface, exterior, outside. Think of a watch (手表, shǒubiǎo) which is worn on the outside of your wrist, or a form/table (表格, biǎogé) which is a surface representation of data.
• 里 (lǐ): Inside, interior. The direct opposite of 表. You see it in words like “inside” (里面, lǐmiàn).
• 不 (bù): Not, no. The standard negative particle in Mandarin.
• 一 (yī): One, the same, unified, consistent.
• The characters combine literally and powerfully: “Surface [and] inside [are] not one.” This paints a clear picture of a disconnect between what is shown to the world and what is true internally.

While Western cultures certainly dislike hypocrisy, the concept of 表里不一 holds a special weight in Chinese society due to the interplay of “face” (面子, miànzi) and sincerity (诚, chéng). In Chinese culture, maintaining social harmony is often paramount. This can involve not directly stating a negative opinion to avoid embarrassing someone (giving them “face”). However, this social lubrication is distinct from being 表里不一. The former is about tact and politeness, while the latter implies deception and a lack of moral integrity. A good comparison is the Western concept of “networking” versus the Chinese concept of 关系 (guānxi). While both involve building relationships, “networking” can sometimes feel transactional. In contrast, true 关系 is built on long-term trust and reciprocity. A person who is 表里不一 cannot build genuine 关系 because they are fundamentally untrustworthy. Accusing someone of being 表里不一 is a serious charge that suggests they violate the core Confucian value of sincerity (诚), undermining the very foundation of trust in relationships.

This idiom is almost exclusively negative and is used to criticize or warn against someone's character.

• In the Workplace: You might use it to describe a colleague who flatters the boss but sabotages their peers. “Be careful of him, he's a bit 表里不一.”
• In Politics and Business: It's frequently used to criticize politicians who break campaign promises or business partners who don't honor their word. The news might report on a company whose public statements of social responsibility are 表里不一 with its actual polluting practices.
• In Personal Relationships: It can be used to describe a “friend” who talks about you behind your back or a romantic partner whose sweet words are not matched by their actions.
• Formality: As a chengyu, it carries a degree of formality, but it is well-understood and used in everyday, serious conversations. It's not slang, but a standard way to express this concept.

• Example 1:
  • 他这个人表里不一，嘴上说支持你，背后却搞小动作。
  • Pinyin: Tā zhè ge rén biǎo lǐ bù yī, zuǐ shàng shuō zhīchí nǐ, bèihòu què gǎo xiǎo dòngzuò.
  • English: This person is two-faced; he says he supports you, but behind your back, he plays dirty tricks.
  • Analysis: A classic example used to describe a backstabbing colleague or “frenemy.” It clearly contrasts spoken words with secret actions.
• Example 2:
  • 我最讨厌那些表里不一的伪君子。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zuì tǎoyàn nàxiē biǎo lǐ bù yī de wěijūnzǐ.
  • English: I most despise those two-faced hypocrites.
  • Analysis: This shows how 表里不一 is often used with other negative terms like 伪君子 (wěijūnzǐ - “false gentleman” or hypocrite) to amplify the criticism.
• Example 3:
  • 一个好的领导者必须诚实，绝不能表里不一。
  • Pinyin: Yí ge hǎo de lǐngdǎozhě bìxū chéngshí, jué bù néng biǎo lǐ bù yī.
  • English: A good leader must be honest and can absolutely not be duplicitous.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses the term to define a key negative trait that a person in a position of trust should not have.
• Example 4:
  • 这家公司宣传自己环保，但实际上污染严重，真是表里不一。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī xuānchuán zìjǐ huánbǎo, dàn shíjìshang wūrǎn yánzhòng, zhēn shì biǎo lǐ bù yī.
  • English: This company promotes itself as environmentally friendly, but in reality, its pollution is severe; it's truly a case of words not matching deeds.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates how the idiom can be applied to an organization, not just a person.
• Example 5:
  • 你怎么能这么表里不一？你答应过我的事为什么不做？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ zěnme néng zhème biǎo lǐ bù yī? Nǐ dāyìng guò wǒ de shì wèishénme bú zuò?
  • English: How can you be so inconsistent? Why didn't you do what you promised me?
  • Analysis: A direct and confrontational use of the term in a personal dispute, accusing someone of breaking a promise.
• Example 6:
  • 通过和他共事，我发现他是一个表里不一的人。
  • Pinyin: Tōngguò hé tā gòngshì, wǒ fāxiàn tā shì yí ge biǎo lǐ bù yī de rén.
  • English: After working with him, I discovered he is a duplicitous person.
  • Analysis: A common way to state a realization about someone's character after a period of observation.
• Example 7:
  • 他的行为和他的价值观表里不一，让人很难信任他。
  • Pinyin: Tā de xíngwéi hé tā de jiàzhíguān biǎo lǐ bù yī, ràng rén hěn nán xìnrèn tā.
  • English: His behavior and his values are inconsistent, which makes it hard for people to trust him.
  • Analysis: Here, 表里不一 is used as a predicate to describe the relationship between two things (behavior and values).
• Example 8:
  • 父母应该教育孩子要做一个诚实的人，而不是表里不一。
  • Pinyin: Fùmǔ yīnggāi jiàoyù háizi yào zuò yí ge chéngshí de rén, ér búshì biǎo lǐ bù yī.
  • English: Parents should teach their children to be honest people, not two-faced.
  • Analysis: This positions the term as the direct opposite of the valued trait of honesty (诚实, chéngshí).
• Example 9:
  • 他那表里不一的笑容让我感到很不舒服。
  • Pinyin: Tā nà biǎo lǐ bù yī de xiàoróng ràng wǒ gǎndào hěn bù shūfu.
  • English: His insincere smile made me feel very uncomfortable.
  • Analysis: This shows how the idiom can be used as an adjective to modify a noun, in this case, a smile (笑容, xiàoróng).
• Example 10:
  • 如果你总是表里不一，你最终会失去所有朋友。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ zǒngshì biǎo lǐ bù yī, nǐ zuìzhōng huì shīqù suǒyǒu péngyǒu.
  • English: If you are always two-faced, you will eventually lose all your friends.
  • Analysis: A sentence that serves as a warning about the social consequences of this kind of behavior.

• Don't confuse it with being polite. A common mistake for learners is to label any indirectness or “white lie” as 表里不一. In Chinese culture, telling your boss you're “fine” when you're stressed is just being professional. Telling your friend their new, unflattering shirt “looks nice” is saving face. 表里不一 implies a deeper, more intentional deception, usually for selfish or malicious reasons. The key is intent.
• It is a strong accusation. Calling someone 表里不一 is not a light comment. It's a direct attack on their character and integrity. You would not use it for minor inconsistencies, like someone saying they dislike ice cream but then eating some. You would use it for a “friend” who secretly applies for the same promotion they encouraged you to get.
• False Friend: “Inconsistent”. While 表里不一 does mean inconsistent, it's not used for neutral inconsistencies. For example, you would not say “The data is 表里不一.” For that, you would use a word like 不一致 (bùyīzhì). 表里不一 is reserved for describing the character of a person or organization.

• Antonym: 表里如一 (biǎo lǐ rú yī) - “Surface and inside are like one.” The direct opposite. Describes someone who is authentic, sincere, and whose actions align perfectly with their values.
• Synonym: 口是心非 (kǒu shì xīn fēi) - “Mouth is yes, heart is no.” A very close synonym that specifically focuses on the disconnect between what is said and what is thought.
• Synonym: 言行不一 (yán xíng bù yī) - “Speech and actions are not one.” This focuses on the inconsistency between what someone says they will do and what they actually do.
• Related Concept: 虚伪 (xūwěi) - Hypocritical, phony, false. A common adjective used to describe a 表里不一 person.
• Related Concept: 当面一套，背后一套 (dāng miàn yí tào, bèi hòu yí tào) - “One set [of behaviors] to the face, another set behind the back.” A more colloquial and vivid phrase describing the same two-faced behavior.
• Related Concept: 笑里藏刀 (xiào lǐ cáng dāo) - “A knife hidden in a smile.” This describes a particularly dangerous type of 表里不一 person, one who appears friendly but has malicious intent.
• Related Concept: 阳奉阴违 (yáng fèng yīn wéi) - “To outwardly obey, but inwardly defy.” This term is often used in work or political contexts for someone who pretends to comply with orders but secretly undermines them.