# 色厉内荏

sè lì nèi rěn

Look fierce while inwardly weak

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** A stern appearance and timid interior

**Traditional Chinese:** 色厲內荏

**Register:** Critical · literary

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

## When to use it

Describe bluster hiding fear or insecurity.

Hidden feelings need evidence; firmness is not automatically bluffing.

## Understanding the expression

The exterior displays a stern confidence, but the interior lacks the strength that the display promises. The expression describes bluster that cannot supply clear reasons or stand up to ordinary questioning. That contrast is central: an emphatic manner alone does not prove inward weakness. A concrete response, such as being unable to explain a claim, makes the description more persuasive. It is better to examine the reasoning than to guess someone's inner confidence only from their voice or expression.

## Examples

他语气强硬，其实色厉内荏，连理由也说不清。

### Traditional Chinese

他語氣強硬，其實色厲內荏，連理由也說不清。

tā yǔ qì qiáng yìng ， qí shí sè lì nèi rěn ， lián lǐ yóu yě shuō bù qīng 。

His forceful tone masks uncertainty; he cannot even explain his reasons.

一被问到证据，她色厉内荏的样子就露出来了。

### Traditional Chinese

一被問到證據，她色厲內荏的樣子就露出來了。

yí bèi wèn dào zhèng jù ， tā sè lì nèi rěn de yàng zi jiù lù chū lái le 。

Questions about evidence exposed the weakness behind her fierceness.

故事里那个爱摆架子的人色厉内荏。

### Traditional Chinese

故事裡那個愛擺架子的人色厲內荏。

gù shì lǐ nà ge ài bǎi jià zi de rén sè lì nèi rěn 。

The person who puts on airs in the story is stern outwardly but weak inside.

面对色厉内荏的姿态，仍可平静地询问理由。

### Traditional Chinese

面對色厲內荏的姿態，仍可平靜地詢問理由。

miàn duì sè lì nèi rěn de zī tài ， réng kě píng jìng dì xún wèn lǐ yóu 。

You can calmly ask for reasons when faced with outward bluster and inward weakness.

## 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=%E8%89%B2%E5%8E%B2%E5%85%A7%E8%8D%8F)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=673&webMd=1&la=0)

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