虚伪 (xūwěi) — hypocritical / false
HSK 4 | adjective | hypocritical; false; insincere
虚伪 (xūwěi)
虚伪 describes behavior or a person that is hypocritical, insincere, or putting on a false front.
Meanings
- [adjective] hypocritical; false; insincere; two-faced
Example Sentences
他的笑容很虚伪，让人感觉不舒服。 Tā de xiàoróng hěn xūwěi, ràng rén gǎnjué bù shūfú. His smile is insincere and makes people feel uncomfortable.
人们不喜欢虚伪的人。 Rénmen bù xǐhuān xūwěi de rén. People do not like hypocritical people.
不要虚伪，要诚实地说出自己的想法。 Bùyào xūwěi, yào chénshí de shuō chū zìjǐ de xiǎngfǎ. Do not be fake; express your thoughts honestly.
虚伪的赞美比批评更有害。 Xūwěi de zànměi bǐ pīpíng gèng yǒuhài. Insincere praise is more harmful than criticism.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 虚伪的人 (xūwěi de rén) | a hypocritical person |
| 虚伪的态度 (xūwěi de tàidu) | insincere attitude |
| 虚伪的笑容 (xūwěi de xiàoróng) | a fake smile |
| 虚伪与诚实 (xūwěi yǔ chénshí) | hypocrisy and honesty |
Usage Notes
虚伪 is a strong negative term that implies deliberate pretense or two-facedness. Its antonym is 诚实 (chénshí) meaning "honest" or 真诚 (zhēnchéng) meaning "sincere." At B1 level, it is useful for discussing character traits and social behavior. Avoid using it lightly as it carries a strong critical tone.
Memory Hook
虚 (empty/hollow) + 伪 (false/fake) — a hollow and fake person, putting on a show that has nothing real inside.