笑里藏刀
笑里藏刀 (xiào lǐ cáng dāo) literally means “hide knife in smile” and expresses “hide malice behind smile”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
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Hide malice behind smile
Pronunciation: xiào lǐ cáng dāo
Literal meaning: Hide knife in smile
Origin & Usage
This chilling idiom describes hiding a knife (刀) within a smile (笑), originating from historical accounts of court intrigue during the Late Han period. It gained prominence through stories of strategic advisors who maintained friendly appearances while plotting against rivals. The contrast between the warm smile and concealed weapon (藏) created a powerful image of deception. Modern usage describes hidden malicious intent behind friendly facades, particularly relevant in business and political contexts where surface cordiality may mask hostile intentions.
Examples
English: "His friendly investment advice concealed a fraudulent scheme"
Chinese: 他友好的投资建议掩盖着诈骗计划
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 笑里藏刀 mean in English?
笑里藏刀 (xiào lǐ cáng dāo) literally translates to “Hide knife in smile” and is used to express “Hide malice behind smile”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 笑里藏刀 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving hide malice behind smile.
What is the pinyin for 笑里藏刀?
The pinyin pronunciation for 笑里藏刀 is “xiào lǐ cáng dāo”.