Catch Phrase | 口嫌体正直(kǒuxián tǐzhèngzhí)

Writer: Debra Li  |  Editor: Stephanie Yang  |  From: Shenzhen Daily  |  Updated: 2021-07-06

Meaning:

Originating from Japanese kanji, “口嫌” means “saying one doesn’t want something,” and “体正直” means “one’s body responds in an honest way,” implying that a person is dishonest in their words, but people can see through them from their behavior.

Example:

A: 小丽不是说自己很讨厌那个追求她的男生吗?怎么周末还跟他吃饭看电影?

Xiǎolì búshì shuō zìjǐ hěn tǎoyàn nàge zhuīqiú tā de nánshēng ma?Zěnme zhōumò hái gēn tā chīfàn kàn diànyǐng?

Didn’t Xiao Li say that she disliked the guy who is wooing her? Why did she go on a movie and dinner date with him?

B: 她是口嫌体正直。那个男生幽默风趣,很多女生喜欢呢。

Tā shì kǒuxián tǐzhèngzhí。Nàge nánshēng yōumò fēngqù,hěnduō nǚshēng xǐhuan ne。

She didn’t mean what she said. That guy is humorous and fun, and he’s popular among girls.