Chinese word

似是而非

Pronunciation

Pinyinsì shì ér fēi

Meaning

  • idiomseemingly correct but wrong

Example

他的说法听起来有理，但其实似是而非。tā de shuō fǎ tīng qǐ lái yóu lǐ dàn qí shí sì shì ér fēi

His statement sounds reasonable, but it is actually wrong.

Illustration for 似是而非 (seemingly correct but wrong)

More examples

表面证据很多，但结论却似是而非。biǎo miàn zhèng jù hěn duō dàn jié lùn què sì shì ér fēi

There is plenty of surface evidence, but the conclusion sounds right and is actually wrong.

Core concept

A polished-looking argument whose apparent logic breaks under close examination.

Common phrases

  • 似是而非的说法sì shì ér fēi de shuō fǎ

    seemingly correct but wrong statement

  • 似是而非的论据sì shì ér fēi de lùn jù

    seemingly correct but wrong argument

Similar words

貌似而非mào sì ér fēi: Describes an appearance of correctness that does not match the facts.
牵强附会qiān qiǎng fù huì: Used for stretching weak connections to create an unsupported conclusion.
站不住脚zhàn bú zhù jiǎo: Describes an argument that fails because its supporting reasons are weak.
言之无物yán zhī wú wù: Describes speech or writing with little substance, detail, or convincing force.

Definition in Chinese

表面上看起来合理，实际并不成立；用来指听起来合情合理但经不起推敲的说法或论点。biǎo miàn shàng kàn qǐ lái hé lǐ shí jì bìng bù chéng lì yòng lái zhǐ tīng qǐ lái hé qíng hé lǐ dàn jīng bù qǐ tuī qiāo de shuō fǎ huò lùn diǎn

Word origin

The four characters 似 (sì, "seem") + 是 (shì, "be right") + 而 (ér, "but") + 非 (fēi, "be wrong") form a compact contrast between seeming right and actually being wrong.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, this four-character idiom has a bookish, analytical tone and fits discussions of opinions and reasoning better than casual reactions.

Opposites

  • 确凿无疑què záo wú yíbeyond doubtidiom
  • 铁证如山tiě zhèng rú shānirrefutable evidenceidiom

Word lists with this word