# 居心叵测

jū xīn pǒ cè

Have motives that are difficult to trust

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** The intention cannot be fathomed

**Traditional Chinese:** 居心叵測

**Register:** Critical · literary

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Express suspicion of concealed harmful intentions.

Suspicion is not proof; explain the troubling behavior.

## Understanding the expression

The expression makes a person's hidden purpose seem inaccessible and potentially dangerous. It often describes offers or actions whose outward explanation does not fit the surrounding facts. The speaker suspects that a harmful motive lies beneath. This differs from simply not knowing someone well. Because the phrase implies mistrust, a fair account gives reasons for suspicion and preserves uncertainty where the actual intention has not been established by evidence.

## Examples

他反复索要密码，令人觉得居心叵测。

### Traditional Chinese

他反覆索要密碼，令人覺得居心叵測。

tā fǎn fù suǒ yào mì mǎ ， lìng rén jué de jū xīn pǒ cè 。

His repeated requests for passwords seem suspicious.

那份匿名邀请居心叵测，别轻易赴约。

### Traditional Chinese

那份匿名邀請居心叵測，別輕易赴約。

nà fèn nì míng yāo qǐng jū xīn pǒ cè ， bié qīng yì fù yuē 。

The anonymous invitation suggests hidden motives; be cautious.

小说中的顾问居心叵测。

### Traditional Chinese

小說中的顧問居心叵測。

xiǎo shuō zhōng de gù wèn jū xīn pǒ cè 。

The adviser in the novel has sinister hidden motives.

不能仅凭沉默就说她居心叵测。

### Traditional Chinese

不能僅憑沉默就說她居心叵測。

bù néng jǐn píng chén mò jiù shuō tā jū xīn pǒ cè 。

Silence alone does not establish sinister motives.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%B1%85%E5%BF%83%E5%8F%B5%E6%B8%AC)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=567&webMd=1&la=0)

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